July 16, 2003
Koko
Fred Rogers wanted to meet Koko, the gorilla who had been taught American Sign Language and had watched “Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood.” When they met, the 280-pound gorilla gave the diminutive Rogers a big hug, then took off Mister Rogers’ shoes.
It is only too easy to think of a neighborhood more as a place than as a relationship, more realty than reality. In our better moments, we might even call it an outward and visible sign of an inner and spiritual reality. Then maybe we’d be on to something.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t get General Convention off my mind. After all, to use a neighborly term, it’s just around the corner. I keep thinking of ways we can set aside religion’s protective security long enough to dare faith’s openness and risk, how we can embrace it as our Big Fat Anglican Wedding (there’s that word again) and accept it as the neighborhood God’s Great Commandment intends.
Perhaps Koko has a clue. Why not, just before each legislative session, give one another a big hug, then take off our neighbor’s shoes?