LIGHT

May 8, 2024

“The stone taken from the Quarry in its rude and natural state.  . .”

Recently Mercy Health opened a new hospital building in our area; over the period of time while driving by, Sandy and I were able to observe its progress as it was built.
Of course the usual construction tools were prevalent– backhoes, cranes and the like.

I realized what a monumental task it must have been for the building of King Solomon’s Temple however many years ago. Workers would need to carve out stones and boulders for use “as is” and have them measured and prepared for use.

Our Lecture reminds us as well it should that during our mortal lives we too are imperfect by nature; as the Great Architect created our Island Home and declared it as “very good”, so we came into this world as the same. As God has begun a good work in us, so should we as Masons strive to attain the station of Perfect Ashlar in the house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens.

May 1, 2024

It was March of 2020, the depth of  COVID. our daily lives upended, a definite time of Low Twelve for all.

Since we could not meet in person, our Web Master asked me if I could do some writing during this time: since I was furloughed from my job, I had the time and opportunity and as it’s developed I now find that I’ve concluded my 4th year.

I have enjoyed [and still do enjoy] bringing something interesting to think about the daily practical application of the world of Freemasonry. This has helped me look at what to write during my period of convalesces and my way of “giving back”.

I am still traveling the long and rugged road to full health and have the opportunity to be getting oxygen therapy treatments daily; between health care professionals, modern medical science and the blessings of the Great Architect I hope to be able to be back to in person in the not too distant future. Many thanks to my wife Sandy for taking the difficult job of attending to me these past months; rich indeed will her rewards be.

April 24, 2024

Great Architect, teach us the art of gentleness in a world of blaring car horns, furious voices, and grieved souls.

May we offer hospitality to strangers as well as the people we know— the same you’ve shown to us.
When our tempers start to rise and muscles begin to tense, when anger flares in people’s eyes,
Let our presence bring a quietness—
Your light warming hearts,
Your peace flowing in our words.
So mote it be.

April 17, 2024

Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy sabbath.  — Exodus 16:23

We see in our Fellowcraft Lecture those employed on the building of King Solomon’s Temple set aside the 7th day of the week as a day of rest from their labors.
However in our contemporary times, work and life schedules don’t always follow a “traditional” pattern such as the Jewish sabbath or the Christian “Lord’s Day” which makes it more urgent to set aside time for seeking rest, reflection on a regular basis.
As Masons, we should always bear in mind the practical application of the 24 Inch Gage to have life balance– otherwise we may forget the purpose of our lives.

April 10, 2024

You knocked, and the door of Freemasonry was opened to you  . . .

A recent Chinese Fortune cookie I got read “Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself”.

We enter our time into the vast expanse of Masonry by the way of the d oor of the Preparation Room being opened whereby the teachings of our Fraternity are made known unto us — hopefully they’re “refreshers” for who we are — so we take it upon ourselves to enter into our concept of what Masonry means and to be able to apply it on a practical daily basis, thereby being able to enjoy the idea of being in our right relationship with not only our Great Architect of the Universe but with our brethren and all humankind.

April 3, 2024

[The secrets of Freemasonry are safely lodged in the repositories of Faithful Breasts]

There are all kinds of courses available to us in any college [and/or on line]; however there doesn’t seem to find any courses on listening. There’s a vast difference with hearing and listening.
By listening we’re able to discern, to understand that “still, small voice” and keep the Tenets of Freemasonry with us, whether at High Twelve, Low Twelve or at any and all times. It enables us to listening to one another, to rejoice in each other’s prosperity and to compassionate each other’s miseries.

March 27, 2024

Hope is when in Darkness if we just show up and try our best that we will see dawn. — Author Anne Lamott

Darkness, fear, anxiety; a sense of “Low Twelve” sometimes has a sense of being a quasi-constant companion in our daily lives.

I sit here three weeks post-surgery wondering when the staples are going to get removed and how much longer I’ll need to be hooked up to this vacuum pump.

Fortunately as Masons we realize that we look forward to many untold and unexpected blessings from our Great Architect of the Universe with our own efforts that we will be able to see the beauties and glories of the light of dawn.

March 20, 2024
It’s part and parcel to feel  unsure when we find ourselves in a new environment or an unfamiliar situation. Even King Solomon acknowledged this in becoming King of Israel, as though he “was a little boy [who did] not know how to go out or come in
[1 Kings 3:7]Masonry gives to us the discernment to realize that we’re out of our “comfort zone” that we don’t need to try to figure out things on our own but to call upon the wisdom of our Great Architect for guidance. We also have one another as a support system when needed.The next time that we feel unsure of ourselves or of our abilities let’s remember Solomon’s example to have the wisdom to do — with excellence — what we are called to do.

March 13, 2024

I made it through two surgeries last week [the results appear as favorable] and have a new 24/7 “companion” a portable vacuum to help expedite healing.

It’s my season for hope and renewal; I see it as we transition from Winter to Spring around us outside. It is a marvelous time of the year [unless one has allergies!].

Even though lugging around this vacuum is a nuisance I am reminded by Masonry to give thanks for the Healthcare Professionals, modern medical technology, the wonderful assistance I get from Sandy on a daily basis and above all from our Great Architect of the Universe; who leads all of us by a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night.

March 6, 2024

Don’t let the noise of the world keep you from hearing the voice of God  — Author Unknown

Our outside daily moves fast and noisy; it seems as though people are always looking for the next big thing such as Artificial Intelligence [one wonders what’s happened to Actual Intelligence], the latest electronic gadget or some pronouncement from some celebrity or purported A-Lister. Being in a hurry is perceived as a normal way of life [when it’s really going around in circles]
One of the great attributes of Masonry, I have come to believe, is that while we indeed live in the world and be industrious that we don’t get ensnared in the day to day business but have opportunities to see the handiwork of our Great Architect around us and through our interactions with each other.

February 28, 2024

I can’t go back to yesterday — I was a different person then.  — Lewis Carroll.

Change is everywhere each and every day of our lives  We’re a different person [maybe just even slightly].
Yesterday is in the archives of us, today will be different. As Masons we start each day by being presented a new blank Trestleboard upon which to write our designs and what we were able to do for others. Through our own endeavors and the blessings of our Great Architect may at the close of the day may it reflect the most excellent tenets of our Institution

February 21, 2024

Rejoice in hope; be patient in suffering– Romans 12:12

This passage can apply to individuals as our community lives as Masons.
Some years ago, happiness literature was in vogue; it’s purpose was to ignore unhappiness, a prosperity gospel for happiness.
It’s about our community of both promoting each other’s welfare and rejoicing in each other’s prosperity; it’s not about running from bad things or making them disappear.  We are called to help restore peace to a Brother’s troubled mind. This runs counter to the culture of solely self-satisfaction.
We are assured that through the blessings of God and our common bonds that we will ever be sustained.

February 14, 2024

. . . and constructed by so many celebrated artists.  . . .  [FC “G” Lecture]

There are so many wonderful things to consider in our Fellowcraft Degree; today I will consider this passage.
The building of King Solomon’s Temple had to have a bold and time-consuming event, especially with ancient tools. One can only imagine how many skilled artisans were needed to array this edifice with its inner beauty to the human eye.
I must confess that there is nothing of a talented artist in me, until we as Masons take a deeper dive into this statement.

February 7, 2024

Tend to your own Garden. — Voltaire

This quote might be misconstrued as “Mind Your Own Business” it appears though to have sage advice.
It’s been really nice outside the last few days; a bit of a respite from Winter and a “sneak preview” of Spring, which brings our our gardeners to tend to shrubs and trees and to plant and cultivate flowers and vegetable/produce.
This is something all avid gardeners do: it does help minding one’s business, being patient and productive and sharing in the bounty of their harvest in the Fall, all of which gives honor and glory to God.
As Masons we should also tend daily to our Mortal and Spiritual garden, which by doing so will allow the Light of Masonry to shine forth, please and glorify our Great Architect and build that eternal house, not made with hands, in the Celestial Lodge above.

January 31, 2024

He covers the heaven with clouds and prepares rain for the earth.  — Psalm 147:8

We’re at the end of January with more cloudy, Gray and rainy days. In the bleak midwinter, indeed. It does placate the soul that there solely remains 57 days until the Reds Opening Day.

Despite the often inclement weather, we try to adhere to schedules while pretending the roads can’t be slick with rain, ice and snow.

But we know that the weather is life itself as opposed to a backdrop.

Our Great Architect prepares rain for the earth because we need rain; our survival depends on rain and snow.

Let’s try to turn away from the “blahs” so to be thankful for the atmosphere and direct our attention to how we can best care for it.

January 24, 2024

Give Judgment for me, O Lord, for I have lived with integrity— Psalm 26:1

When we think of the word integrity, we think of the word alignment— are we doing what we say we’re doing? During our journey as Masons, this is of the utmost importance. What happens when we’re not attuned to the values we espouse?
The psalmist is confident about the integrity of their journey and a solid stance on level ground which we also should aspire.
Our Masonry reminds us that while we’ll occasionally stumble and falter, is that we can and will reset, thanking our Great Architect for these opportunities to bring integrity always to our hearts and minds.

January 17, 2024

We’re in the midst of Winter as I write this, so it’s time for hockey season!

While there aren’t many fans or followers among us, the Stanley  Cup, awarded annually since 1926 to the champion of the National Hockey League, named after its donor, Earl Stanley, a member of Alpha Lodge #16, London England.
He was the 15th of Derby and member of Parliament when he became appointed as the first Governor General of Canada in 1868. He traveled extensively throughout western Canada and became an avid sportsman. He also, due to his non-partisanship, was well regarded in his official duties.
Since his sons had taken up the sport of hockey, Lord Stanley donated the cup to be presented to the best amateur team in Canada at that time.

January 10, 2024

A member of Troy Lodge #14 in Albany NY, our brother Philander Chace was a  church man, missionary and educator in his lifetime; he was also the uncle of Salmon P.  Chase, later governor of Ohio and Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Consecrated as Bishop in the Episcopal Church, he traveled on horseback throughout the state of Ohio covering nearly 1,300 miles. He established Kenyon College in Gambier [Knox County OH] and was its president.

Later in life he answered the call to continue evangelicalism and became the first Bishop of Illinois in 1835.

Brother Chase in 1814 wrote an address confirming Freemasonry’s compatibility with Christianity; though lengthy it does make for interesting and thoughtful reading.

January 3, 2024

So how did the old year of 2023 fare? For me . . . not exactly I must say. Here’s hoping 2024 will be a much better one.

Has anyone made any New Year’s resolutions? Since these usually fall “by the wayside” pretty quickly I myself haven’t [and don’t].

However, as Masons there is one thing all of us can [and should] resolve and renew is “to improve ourselves in Masonry”, so to be the best examples of the tenets of our Fraternity. In the words of our brother Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, “Be your best and let God do the rest”.

May we all have a Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.