Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, with Easter happening on Sunday. By the way, do you find it odd, like I do, that the date for Easter always changes? Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon that falls after the Spring Equinox. I have heard several explanations for this, but it is not the focus of today's thought. I just thought it was interesting.

We are in the early days of Passover, when our Jewish Brothers celebrate their exodus from Egypt and freedom. Next year in the Promised Land, Brothers.

We also have Good Friday and or the recorded date of Jesus being unalived (dang Facebook algorithms) and laid in the tomb.

What do these two events have in common? At least I see the common thread as a release and renewal. For Passover, it is the release from bondage and oppression, and Good Friday is a release (or, according to Christian Tradition, the start of the release of the sins of the world and old self, which occurred on Easter when the Temple Veil was torn in two. LOL, Yes, I may not share the faith, but I paid attention.

Again, Masonry is NOT a religion but works very well to enhance our spiritual selves. Giving us extra tools to enhance our personal spiritual work. Please notice I said “Extra”, not “All or Only”.

Another thing these two events have in common is sacrifice. The Hebrews took the word of Moses and went out into the desert and left the life they knew behind. Granted that life kind of stunk, but it was all they physically knew at the time. That took some faith and sacrifice. They looked out across the sands and saw nothing, and went anyway.

Good Friday, we have, according to the stories, Jesus sacrificing himself for not just Jewish Brothers but non-Jewish alike. That took a step of faith since just hours before, he questioned it all. For those who feel Jesus never doubted for a second, I will counter with this. He asked 3 times for the cup to be removed. Even though he drank it. I have had Pastors tell me that “Jesus has been right where you are and understands everything you can, will, and have gone through”. If that's true, then he has faced self-doubt. Not that it's bad, it's just happened.

Anyway, and I am not trying to get preachy, just the nature of the Holidays and where my mind is this morning.

SO, as I wrap up my meditation this morning during this time of “liberation,” I ask…. what are you leaving behind? What are you going to put in your personal “tomb” and leave there when you emerge? Because we all emerge. Sometimes we “break free,” and others we stay bound in our “Old land of Egypt” with things we have become too comfortable with and afraid to let go of…because it is all we know.

Is it easy to step out in faith? No, and I don’t care what your faith is. We are human beings and very visual people. “Show me….give me something to cling on. Not how it works.

But when you rid yourself of those things that no longer serve you, you will be much better for it. I know it is not always easy and takes some work. I have a few; I am trying to let go of myself and find it hard. But the key is to try, to work at it. Good Men Better, eh?

So to my Brothers that celebrate these Holidays. Enjoy them, look at them a bit deeper, and look at yourself.

I love you, and may we govern ourselves accordingly