We need fools for now

who can leap into insecurity

Last Friday, a giant crane showed up to hoist some new telecom antennas to the roof of the big tower. It was an impressive sight and a reminder of what will be coming for the rest of the building. Slowly but surely, the new members of our community start to arrive. As I write these words, workers are working in the corridor next to my room to finish some rooms before their arrival. Finally, last week, I sat down with the architect to go over the planning of the building works this autumn. We discussed a master plan for the renovation of the tower, the works on the new elevators, and the possibilities for making the whole project more sustainable and eco-friendly.

Personal note

I received excellent news on my PhD manuscript. And my contract arrived for a part-time job at KU-Leuven, starting this autumn. In a few weeks, this place and my life will be very different from when I arrived ten weeks ago. So, I am taking a little break to rest and reflect on what has happened and what is coming next.

Prayer for our project

As some of you have commented, it is a big, even a bit crazy, project we have started here. And there may be some truth in that. But last weekend, a brother reminded us in his sermon of a prayer by the French Dominican Louis-Joseph Lebret OP (1897-1966) that is the only proper response under the circumstances of our house and our Dominican Province of saint Thomas, and the Dutch vicariate:

“O God, send us fools,

who offer themselves wholly,

who let go,

who love without words,

who give themselves truly and to the end.

We need fools,

the unreasonable,

the passionate,

who can leap into insecurity,

into the ever-yawning gulf of poverty.

We need fools for now,

enchanted by the simple life,

loving peace,

cleansed of compromise,

firm against betrayal,

heedless of their own lives,

ready to undertake anything,

or go anywhere:

at the same time obedient,

spontaneous and decided,

gentle and strong.

O God, send us fools.