A Past Master's Thoughts

Let's shed some Light on Masonry for a moment. OK, not Masonry, but Masons. I am almost positive I will get feedback on this thought. But it is what came to mind this morning.  There is a jurisdiction that lost a good Brother. I won't mention names because it could be any jurisdiction, any lodge, it may even be you.  This Brother went through some serious junk. It appears it gave him pause, and he looked around a bit. Saw things he did not much care for. Folded up his apron, laid down his tools, and walked away. He is no longer an active Mason.  Yesterday, there was a post and a comment in the thread that mentioned the word hypocrisy.  Was he wrong? No, I can not say he was. Let me explain for a moment. Is Freemasonry a perfect system? Yes, I believe it is. It has value, morals, and it teaches us how to live in unity with our Brothers, and fellow man (That’s human to be honest). People get involved in Masonry for a number of reasons.  In my opinion (as h...

DESIDERATA (By Max Ehrmann, 1927)   Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they, too, have their story.   Man did this hit home this morning. I will look at a number of Masonic groups and read their content. Truth be told some of their content rattles around in my head and makes it over here.  Today is one of those days. A couple of days ago a page I really like posted about Albert Pike and his writings. I will not go into detail on it because well…if you know you know and I do not want to stoke the flames here. The subject seems to be the one thing that Anti-Masons (notice I did not say Non-Masons) cling to. Their entire platform hinges on a section of Morals and Dogma, and a comment made by Pike. Have you ever heard the statement “Don’t read ...

  I just got home from a great class on the Masonic funeral. We discussed all the ins and outs of working with the family, funeral home, military, etc. How to properly honor our departed Brother on his continued journey. Again, I am a firm believer that the Masonic funeral is the true 4 th degree. Life continues, and there really is no “death,” just the transition into another experience and set of lessons. This is really solidified in the Landmarks “That every Mason must believe in a resurrection to a future life.”   How very appropriate that this class was held today. Why, you ask? Well, as I mentioned yesterday, today is the day of the longest night. Starting tomorrow, the days and the “Light” will slowly get longer. Oh, it may not seem like it. In Kansas, we can still be knee deep in snow for some time. But it is true, tomorrow the Sun will slowly start its return. What does that mean for us? It means that today is the “funeral rites” of your old self, and tomor...

To say it has been a wild few weeks is a bit of an understatement. My son, bonus son really, as we do not use the term step in my house. Well, he got married (finally) and headed off to Washington, DC. He still has a ton of stuff yet to move from middle America to the coast. We had Thanksgiving, and getting ready for Christmas and the winter holiday season. Adding to this, I will be putting on the coat and tie of a Chaplain later this month to officiate the funeral service of a friend, and later in January, assisting in an initiation into my spiritual tradition. Yep, I am a bit busy around here. Plus, normal day to day house stuff and doing my best to stay up and active in my Lodges. Within the Lodge my young Padawan learner is doing well. Honestly, we have not got together as often as I would like or maybe we should. But when we do, we do not discuss Masonry “Hard Core.” But we discuss life and how things may or may not apply. I mean, he has already returned his masonic catechism....

Todays thought was brought about by a reader. Thank you all for reading and helping with content on this page. Please understand that as always this opinion, like all others, is mine and is not the opinion of any Grand Jurisdiction or the Masonic bodies there in, nor any other Mason.  On this page I do my best to avoid political discussions. Not that I can not but it is just a bad idea. Like discussing politics in Lodge very bad idea. So much so that in Andersons Constructions. It is covered. “Therefore no private piques or quarrels must be brought within the door of the Lodge, far less any quarrels about religion, or nations, or state policy, we being only, as Masons, of the catholic religion above mentioned; we are also of all nations, tongues kindreds and languages, and are resolved against all politics, as what never yet conduced to the welfare of the Lodge, nor ever will. This Charge has been always strictly enjoined and observed; but especially ever since the Reformation ...

I have been seeing a few posts talking about the “Reason for the Season”.  We are approaching an interesting time of the year. A time when all faiths are seeking light. But what do I wish for you most? Darkness. Yep, you heard me right. I want you to see the darkest thing you can. Let me explain. There are a few stories I have heard and read about concerning different faiths. The Menorah burned for 8 days with very little oil. Not enough to extend that long. In the Christian faith, the birth of Christ in a manger was hunted by a rabid king seeking his destruction. Yet we celebrate these events this time of year? Why? Well, this is a season when we are rushing to the darkest night. Within Masonry, we are approaching the day of Saint John the Evangelist. Or for others, the Winter Solstice. He was the herald of the Light.  The one standing in the darkness as a gateway. There are so many faiths, from the Abrahamic faiths to Pagan, that hold this season on high regard. Agai...