A Past Master's Thoughts

Last evening, I received a text message raising a thought-provoking question: the presence of weapons within the Lodge. The discussion, originating among several Brothers, prompted one to seek my perspective. Curious, I reviewed the bylaws of my own jurisdiction to determine whether guidance had been established on the matter. After searching through multiple avenues, I found no specific reference to weapons. Unless I have overlooked something, there appears to be no explicit Grand Lodge ruling on the subject. Whether such guidance should exist is a separate question—one I will respectfully leave to those charged with that responsibility. It is not my place to speak for other jurisdictions, nor will I attempt to do so. Governance in these matters properly resides with the appropriate authorities: state and local law, Grand Lodge bylaws and edicts, and ultimately the individual Lodge. Within our ritual teachings, we are instructed not to bring anything “offensive or defensive” int...

“You don’t build a better life with one powerful night. You build it with ordinary days.” – Joshua Kelley That line hit me like a hammer. Today, a Brother shared an early copy of his second book—so fresh it’s still in PDF form. I couldn’t wait to dive in, and right there in Chapter One was that quote. It stopped me. Made me pause. Made me think. And immediately, I reached out to Joshua and told him—half-joking, fully serious—that I was going to “borrow” it. Of course, as any honorable literary craftsman should, I give credit where it’s due. Because the truth is… that line doesn’t just sound good—it means something. It echoes something I tell every new Brother: this is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. A long road built on discipline, determination, vision, and focus. And along that road? You will stumble. You will get tired. You will trip, fall, and skin your knees. But that’s not failure—that’s part of the journey. The only thing that matters is that you get back up. You put ...

I know that within Masonry, we say we do not discuss Religion and Politics. Now that is only in a tyled Lodge as recommended by Anderson Constitutions Article 1 of 1723.  As a summary. Article I of James Anderson’s  Constitutions of the Free-Masons  (1723) sets the foundational moral and religious obligations of a Mason. It begins with the Mason’s duty to obey the moral law and to be a good, honorable, and honest man, regardless of personal religious beliefs. This is to keep Masonry as a center of Union and not the division of the Brothers. Even though we say Masonry is not a religion and it honestly offers no true path to salvation, or so it is said, and I would argue that a bit too.  As our chaplain's opening prayer in my jurisdiction talks about our undertaking, our conduct to God's Glory, the advancement of Masonry, and then to our salvation.  I would also like to mention James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is t...

Today marks the end of the Christian Holy Week. There are still a few more days left of Passover. But today, for several Brothers it is Easter—a time of emergence and renewal. We have passed the Spring Equinox, and the trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and soon the grass will be tall enough to mow. If it isn’t already. Friday, I wrote about the darkness and that there is nothing in the light that was not there in the dark. This is a true statement. But as with everything, we are in a constant state of change. Today is not the same as yesterday, and tomorrow will not be either. You never step in the same river twice. Today is a day of renewal for many. Breaking free from the dark depths and things that held you back. Friday, I talked about the dark and what we are leaving behind. So, while Good Friday was about going inside yourself and spending time in that “personal chamber of reflection.” When you step out, you should have a renewed view of life.   So my ques...

Today is Good Friday, with Easter happening on Sunday. By the way, do you find it odd, like I do, that the date for Easter always changes? Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon that falls after the Spring Equinox. I have heard several explanations for this, but it is not the focus of today's thought. I just thought it was interesting. We are in the early days of Passover, when our Jewish Brothers celebrate their exodus from Egypt and freedom. Next year in the Promised Land, Brothers. We also have Good Friday and or the recorded date of Jesus being unalived (dang Facebook algorithms) and laid in the tomb. What do these two events have in common? At least I see the common thread as a release and renewal. For Passover, it is the release from bondage and oppression, and Good Friday is a release (or, according to Christian Tradition, the start of the release of the sins of the world and old self, which occurred on Easter when the Temple Veil was torn in two. ...

I am a man who walks alone And when I'm walking a dark road At night or strolling through the park When the light begins to change I sometimes feel a little strange A little anxious when it's dark Fear of the dark, fear of the dark – Iron Maiden With in Masonry, we talk about Light….and further Light. What we do not talk about is the dark. The dark is just as important as the light. Yes, we want to be enlightened. Yes, we want to grow and brighten out pathway. But that means walking dark shadows. It means understanding who we are. Learning the lessons and putting those lessons to use. It means being honest with not only our Brothers, but more importantly ourselves. Our limitations. Why? Because once we learn where our limits are we can work to bolster strengths. My Brothers….let me say that there is nothing in the dark that was not there in the light. We are only being tested. What have we really learned, and what do we need to work on? Part of that is using...