Are you willing and able

Sitting here this morning and started reading the book I got the other day. The Chaplain's Guide to Freemasonry. It’s a short book about 40 pages, and the majority of it is ideas for prayers. Opening the Lodge, Degree work, Festive Boards, Annual Communication, etc.

So far, from what I have read, I really love this book. I am betting a copy of this book makes it to my Lodge Library, and honestly, I feel a copy should be placed in the hands of every Brother appointed to that office. Be it your local Blue Lodge or your Grand Chaplain. There are things here that can and will assist them in their duties.

To me, the office of the Chaplain is maybe one of the most important in the Lodge. Well, not just the Lodge but the Fraternity as a whole. The top two spots are the Master and Secretary. But the Chaplain meets the spiritual needs of the Lodge or should. While Masonry is NOT a religion or holds a specific religious faith. Its members do. Their faith is every bit as important to them as yours is to you. This is proper and how it should be.

Bro. Shapira lists some of the qualities of a Chaplain as someone possessing the following.

1.       Compassion – a deep concern for others.

2.       Confidentiality - being able to keep conversations private that should be.

3.       Resourcefulness – an ability to maybe do things outside the box is needed.

4.       Sociability – be able to communicate with members and guests, and family. Be welcoming.

5.       Organization -  be able to thoughtfully plan and work with the Master of the Lodge for events, etc.

6.       Faith – Be comfortable with expressing faith and prayers. Be willing to understand different faith-based groups.

7.       Spirituality – Be open and listen to the GAOTU as you have that relationship.

 

These seven things are items we all can and should work on. It is a daily practice, and I will be honest, I am not 100% there on some of them. Some, I have a fairly good grasp on the concept and practice.

As a Chaplain, you are a spiritual leader and dare I say moral compass of the Lodge. I know the term “moral compass” may be a bit interesting, as there are some practices of individual brothers that some may find in their practice to be immoral. For example, various personal relationships, such as poly or members of the LGBTQ community. As well as those of differing spiritual faiths.  But, if your Lodge accepted their petition and you initiated them be they an Entered Apprentice or a Master Mason, they are a Brother, and as a Chaplain, they are under your Masonic care.

I have a couple of things on my mind with this morning's thought, and I am sure that as I continue to read more books on this subject, I will have more thoughts.

I am going to throughout a Heinz 57 situation real quick. A number of folks see the office as one that gives opening and closing prayer, prayer over our meals, and does the Masonic Funeral service if called (and able to perform it).  But, are you willing to set your spirituality aside and pick up the faith of a Brothers and pray with them to their deity of connection?

Here is an example. Say a member of your Lodge who happens to be LGBTQ and Pagan calls you, and his heartbroken because their spouse just got placed in hospice care. They do not know how long they have, and he needs you. Yes, people have their own “civilian” Pastors, Priests, Rabbis, etc. But they called you. Your personal spiritual faith takes issue with the above-listed. Do you, as a Brother have the compassion to set that aside and go to the hospital, their home, etc., and be there? Can you pray and call to their deity to comfort them and ease that person's passing? I only list this situation as you may very well be called to do just that.  Would you be able to?  The office is not about you. It's about them and your ability to minister to them.  

A number of years ago I was at an event and a Non-Masonic Brother from another Mother was talking about being a Pagan Clergy. He told us that the students he had in his group, he taught them not only their tradition but how to be proper Chaplains. That way, they could work positively within their communities, not just within their circle. I can understand this as at the time he worked for disaster relief within the Red Cross.

That same NMBFADM (see above) made a statement I have never read in any book on the subject. Just because you put Rev. in front of your name or Chaplain after does not make you an expert on everything. You may very well run into issues you do not have the proper skills to work with. Mental Health issues, addiction, etc. One of the greatest things he shared in the workshop so many years ago was a simple phrase I remember to this day. “Ask up, Refer out” If you do not have the proper skills and training to deal with an issue, you can do more harm than go. No matter where your intentions are. If you ain't got it…you ain't got it. AND THAT’S OK.

Lastly, Chaplains need Chaplains too. Do you have someone you can go to for spiritual and emotional relief when you need it? I do, he is a minister in the Lutheran church and while we may not share the same faith, he gets me. He also likes cigars, bourbon, does a ton of charity work, so he cannot be that bad..and he is a Brother.

This got a bit longer than I had hoped. I guess I had a lot of thoughts. If you made it this far. Thank you for reading. 

I love you, and may we govern ourselves accordingly.