The tie that binds

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. So let us talk a bit about applying it. I will not going in to details but he went through some rough stuff that, honestly, I would have walked away. But he is sticking it out.

So, with all of this, I am taking a slight break and getting back to the roots of what this page is all about anyway. It has been a bit since I have shared a thought of substance.

I am readying the book “No Common Fire” and as promised I am reading about the three bonds within Masonry. The Cable tow, The Scarlet Thread, and The Chain of Union. Now I will say it is very interesting that The Scarlet Thread was added. You may remember the red cord hung from the window at the battle of Jericho.

I am not going to go super deep on this thought for a couple of reasons. First if you would like to learn more about Austin R. Shifrin, author thoughts, get a copy of the book. His work will always make you think and is well worth it. Secondly, I do not want to get a call or text from a Brother saying, “Hey Brother, bit far on that one.” This has only happened twice in 4-5 years so I’m doing ok. I am also glad they have my back and keep me level.

Our Brother links the three very nicely. Each one building upon the other, and for good reason. As I was reading the paper I kept seeing “Body, Mind, and Spirit” while that is not specifically said, it was most definitely implied.

I am also better this is implied in his first chapter on “Oath taking in the Blue Lodge.”

As Masons we all know what the Cable Tow is and what it represents, if not we should. Due to mt Cable Tow I can not explain it here. But it would encourage you to go to your Blue Lodge and talk to your education director and or mentor and discuss it. It could be a very interesting discussion.

Now The Red Scarlet Cord, if we look at the story of Jericho spies were sent in to gather intelligence and report back as the city was about to be sacked. The spies were discovered but hidden and kept safe till they could escape. The only thing asked was that Rahab’s family be kept safe from harm. The Red Scarlet Cord was the symbol to identify them so the promise could be kept. The Cord represents Honor and Integrity as Rahab could have at any time turned them in. The invading Army also could have ignored the Cord and gone back on the promise made. That Cord represents a will choice to keep our sacred word.

Now we are coming to the Chain of Union. The first two bonds being both physical and mental, this one is very spiritual. Yes, all three hold you to your word. Yes, it reminds us that we are all bound together no matter race, religion, social standing, etc. But it binds us together in spirit. It is designed to unite all Brothers with an unbreakable “mystic” link uniting them, by spirit and by word.

I love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly