A Past Master's Thoughts

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...

Today I was given a number of honors. The first and foremost was that I was able to witness a Brother from my Lodge raised to a Master Mason by the Oklahoma Indian Degree Team.   They announced that in 20 years of doing this work, my Brother was number 1138 Master Masons they have raised. Any degree work is about the Brother receiving that degree. It is THEIR day and no one else's.   Any degree is sacred, and the Master Mason degree is the most sacred of them all. For reasons I will not go into.   To this Brother I have a few things to say.   First and foremost, this is not a sprint. It is a marathon. Take your time. This should be evident when you were asked what you thought, and you said, “I am still processing”.   Of course, you are…You do not fully understand what you just went through.   BTW, it is important. Each degree is important. Each building is on the other. This is why I feel we need to take time to really understand the degrees and what you ...

This morning, I was watching a short reel by Pastor John Ortberg. Not something I normally do but this one was kind of interesting. He was talking about AA meetings being held in the basements of some churches and a saying. “You can either stay upstairs and hear about miracles. Or go downstairs and see them.” I thought this was very interesting and it got me to thinking. I know, most things do. Within my Lodges we will have our stated meetings and conduct the business of the Lodge. Those are needed to keep the lights on and decide the direction the Lodge is going to go. But after my Home Lodge will go downstairs for coffee, cookies, cake, etc.  My Traditional Observance Lodge will go to a local restaurant and have a meal. The goal is fellowship,  learning more about our Brothers, and spending time. Sometimes the discussions are lighthearted about some of the education that was presented. Job promotions, retirements, and victories.  But other times they are not. There are ...

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...