Nisker describes how holy fools of the east and holy fools of the west take a different approach. They become friends with insecurity, making doubt their guide and each moment their god. Living in poverty, the fools often identify with the poor. St. Francis of Assisi became enlightened, then stripped himself naked and renounced his inheritance. Well, I could go on.
Fools are legion, even holy fools.
Just this, we are all called at some point in our lives to be holy fools. I was joined in holy foolery by the seven of us who started this congregation. People in churches around us objected that we would steal their members, contending that this church was unnecessary. It isn t that far. Holy or not, we fools persisted, and it s so nice to see you here today.