A Past Master's Thoughts

Earlier this year, I got news that had a number of us jumping for joy. The Grand Lodge of Mississippi was going to vote to conduct talks of Amity between the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Mississippi and The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mississippi. People seem to think that Prince Hall is just that “Black Lodge.” While started by Brother Prince Hall, who was denied entry in his time to a “regular” Lodge, he petitioned The Grande Lodge of England and formed Prince Hall Masonry. To say Prince Hall is JUST the Black Man's Lodge is wrong, insulting, and disrespectful. Yes, started by a Black Brother, there are a number of Military members who are members as well as Caucasian Members. In truth, Prince Hall Masons just practice Masonry a bit differently. NO different than your jurisdiction and mine. Everyone practices a little bit differently. It is my understanding that if you visit a Prince Hall Lodge, you'd better bring your “A” game because these Brothers do not play. NO cu...

“Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.” ― Joseph Fort Newton The proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi have me thinking. Now, let me say I was not there, and was the vote regarding the Prince Hall Grand Lodge based on a racial tone? I honestly cannot answer that. But I know perception is reality. I know that my understanding of Masonry has nothing to do with a man's race, ethnic background, politics, religion, or social standing. None of that matters, or shouldn’t. Does racism exist? Sadly, it does. Does racism exist within Masonry?  That is an interesting question. Within its principles? No, I will say it does not. Does it exist within the hearts of some Masons? Sadly, it does.  That is a shame. A few years ago, a Brother from a Lodge in my jurisdiction decided he wanted to transfer and move his membership. He went through the process of transfer, was voted on, etc. He was a Brother, why not? It wasn’t until after the vote to approve that we l...

“One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. ‘Which road do I take?’ she asked. ‘Where do you want to go?’ was his response. ‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered. ‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.” ― Lewis Carroll,  Alice in Wonderland   No, Lewis, it does matter. Every step you take is a choice. Every movement should be well thought out. When you first filled out the petition, your investigating committee, your initiation, was all a matter of personal choice. Each and every day, we are at a crossroads. When we step into the Temple before anything is ever done, we are asked one simple question. Is it of your own free will and accord? The second question is just as important. What came you hear to do?  That requires some thought and focus. What came YOU HERE to do? Not someone else, not somewhere else. Right here, right now. This moment is all that matters. This is your journey, your crossroad. No one else's. Sure, there are other twis...

  While sitting on my front porch having a stick, I had a thought. What is a good number of Lodge Membership?  Now, I am sure today's thought is going to set some Brothers on fire. If it does, good. Because it is causing us to think. Thursday, while attending Temple, I heard of the days when we had X Hundred members. Some Lodges still do, but rarely have those numbers in a meeting. Sure, people join for their own reasons. Some use the Blue Lodge as a springboard for other groups. Be it the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine, etc. I get it, we all have our own “Masonic Journey”. I will keep my personal comments about that to myself.  Other than to say that if you do not have a firm foundation, you have nothing. But thinking about my Masonic Ed piece, which I am honestly very proud of. Something came to mind.   Does your Lodge have superfluities? Do you have 10 Brothers who attend, but 100+ on the rolls?  While you have those 90 on the rolls, continue to take new pe...

  It is kind of a running joke in my Lodge that it is not a meeting if I don’t say anything. I did my best to subdue my passions, sit on my hands, and shut up. But I will admit I failed. Tonight's meeting at my Home Lodge had the theme of “What is your inheritance?” The setting up of the Temple was beautiful. The way the Master started with “Let there be light,” and he took a candle and lit the officers' candles. Very impressive. Later in the meeting for Masonic Education, the Past Masters of my Lodge told their stories. We learned about the History and so forth of the Lodge.   How it came to be, and how they preserved the building, even the remodeling of the building. Honestly, they covered a lot of what I was going to mention. After everything was said and done, I asked to speak. The one common thread I heard from all the stories shared tonight can be summed up in one simple word.   Sacrifice. I talked to the Lodge and told them that yes, we live in very dark ...

I am a very firm believer that what we learn in the Lodge should be taken outside of the Lodge. In fact, we have no choice but to do that very thing. Why? Because it is who we are. We will shine our “light” into a darkened world as we understand it. That is an interesting point, “as we understand it”. For a very long time, I have posted my thoughts and ideas regarding Masonry, spirituality, and my connection with my fellow man…As I understood it. Wow, how I may have missed the point, sadly. All of us are at different places within our journey. I know I have not reached my final destination. How do I know that? I am still recycling air. I also know some see things differently than I do. But let me be 110% honest. I do not care who you are. I do not care about your spirituality. I do not care about your ethnic background. I do not care about your social standing. I do not care about your economic standing. I do not care about who you love. What I do care about is your integrity.  How...