Blue Lodge Masonry

 


We all know I can be very opinionated. Heck, it is what has kept this page going for the last 4 plus years. Before I start todays thought I have a few things to say.

1. First the thoughts and views expressed here are not and should not be seen as an endorsement of any Grand Lodge (from any Jurisdiction), Appendant Body, Blue Lodge, Past Master, Current Master, FBI, CIA, Dept. of Homeland Security, or any other Ancient Order Ben Gates or Dan Brown may discover.

2. This page is Blue Lodge Craft Masonry forward. I have no issues with any other “Masonic” organizations with in the umbrella of the “Masonic Family”. I just happen to strongly believe in a firm foundation.

3. Anyone reading this page is under no obligation to agree with me and are more than welcome to think I am full of cow refuse. All I ask is share your opinion so we can spark discussion, and be polite about it.

4. Lastly keep all discussion “On the Level” as we have Masons and Non-Masons that are members of this public page. Remember you cannot Tyle the Internet.

One of the big phrases with in my Jurisdiction, and I hope your too is the idea of the “Masonic Experience. “ Now I am going to share some ideas I have been sharing for the last 4 years and I may just explain it a bit different or go in to a bit more reason why I feel the way I do.

Let me say real quick that last year I was at Masoniccon Kansas and I heard a discussion from one of the presenters who said “I would rather sit in Lodge with 70 fired up Masons, than 7000 luke warm members”. He repeated this again till he got to “I would rather sit in Lodge with 20 Fired up Masons than 2000 card carrying members”. He has a point. But how do we make members to Masons, because there is a difference?

First not everyone is or should be a Mason. We have a thing called “guard the West Gate”. Masonry is not for everyone, nor should it be. A Past Master of a Lodge I attend made a comment once, “You need Masonry, Masonry does not need you.” At first that sounded very harsh, but I later understood what he was saying.

I honestly believe that Masonry is not a “social club” but a mystery school and a spiritual outlet. It is one that takes time. Yes, I know we are all on our own “Masonic Journey”. With on our ritual it is asked if the person seeking more light is “duly and truly prepared, worthy, and well qualified". That does not happen in a week. Masonry is a marathon and not a sprint. The degrees are designed to give you a glimpse of light but it is up to us to delve deeper and seek out more. That takes time.

The Ancient Mystery schools took years, if not a lifetime to complete the training. I know some school that have a year between degrees. Why? To make sure you understand the degree and lessons of that degree before you advance. Part of being “truly prepared” is allowing for that spiritual and mental change to occur. Being “worthy, and well qualified”? Are they able to perform the work of that degree? There should be no contentions with in the Craft except “who can best perform the work”. Notice, it did not say who could do it flawless? But who could do it best.

For the best “Masonic Experience” that is what we should strive for, to assist our Brothers in the “Spiritual Awaking” that Masonry can and should bring. As well as assisting them in learning the work, so in time they can assist others.

This is going to sound harsh, and maybe it is. But the very first order we hear with in Masonry does not come from the Master, it is in fact from the Senior Deacon. When we are told to “wait with patience”. The wheels of Masonry can move very slowly, both from a governance standpoint and a mystical one. Heck, there is a Lodge I am hoping to connect with and it has been a journey of close to 9 – 10 months, and I am a current member in my Jurisdiction, and the members of the Lodge know me. But, Bro. Marshall, wait with patience.

The ability to wait and dig in to the lessons of Blue Lodge Masonry speaks volumes to your commitment and character as a person and a Mason. The other day in one of the comments someone mentioned a Past Master of their Lodge saying “We need less men in Masonry, and more Masonry in men”. Here, here, well said.

Again, if your interest is other bodies with in the Masonic Family, ok great, have at it. There is nothing wrong with them. I know many a friend and Brother that are good and upright Masons, working in the Blue Lodge while being a member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Eastern Star, Shrine, etc.

I just strongly feel if we do not put proper attention on the Blue Lodge our personal Masonic Foundation will crumble. That means our Blue Lodges need to put in the effort as well to keep these new Brothers interested. That mean we need to take the time to learn the lessons, and rituals. Again, I am not saying it has to be perfect, it is a work in progress. It takes time and if we want to make it quality for the Lodge and ourselves it is worth the investment.

If not….the Elks are down the street. I’ll sign your membership application for you if that better meets your needs.

I love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly

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