Shed some Light


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 humble as it is), some are for the right ones, and others are not. The goal is to take a good, hard look at ourselves and use the tools we are given, and make a change.  That does not always happen. Sometimes we feel that when we join Masonry (much like your local religious group), we take a knee, say a few words, and POOOOFFFF all is better and the light comes on. 

No, that is the time you get to start working on the things you see. Some take that seriously, and others do not. Maybe they did at first, and things got in the way. Maybe titles became more important than connections. By the way, the most important title you will ever receive was bestowed on you the first time you step into the Temple room.  Don’t let the others fool you.

While it may seem like I am kicking people in the knee, I'm not, well, not really. This reminds me of one of the reasons I walked away from the “church”. Jesus is one of the coolest figures written about. Love your neighbor as yourself. Who here condemns you? Neither do I. Blessed are the…and Woe to you who are not. The first being the marginalized members of his community, and the latter those taking advantage of them.

Sounds great, huh? It is, and we should strive to live that way. But what do the church and Masonry have in common? People.  We have people who are far from perfect. Some who claim one thing and practice another.  Now that is NOT everyone.  But let's be honest, any and every organization in the known world has them.

If we want to be 110% honest, we need to ask do we live up to the principles of Freemasonry each and every day. Before you think I am pointing at you, I am looking in the mirror.

 I am an imperfect Mason, and I make mistakes. Sometimes I break off more stone than is needed. Others not enough.  My plumb line may not be as straight as it should be. Square is not a perfect 90 degrees. Maybe there is too much water in my mortar, and not enough.

All I can do is try. Then look at my Brothers, because they are my Brothers, be they right or not. And hope they are trying too? Maybe they are, maybe they are not. I can't answer that.

Again, I am not passing judgment on anyone, maybe myself a little. But, I know a jurisdiction that lost a damn good Brother, was it yours?

 

I love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly


 

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