LIGHT – ARCHIVE 2023

December 27. 2023

One stanza of the lullaby Twinkle Twinkle Little Star goes as : As your bright and tiny spark lights the traveler in the dark.

We wonder sometimes I’m sure how we can shine like stars, that our light is bright enough to make a difference; light and especially the light of Freemasonry changes our world. 
 
We who are fortunate to possess the light of Masonry are to make sure it shines as effortlessly as the stars which hang in the night sky which accomplishes the hope and promise of enlightenment into the deep darkness of our world.

December 20. 2023

It seems as though around this time of the year that I think of “bygones” and suspect that many of us do as well.

We remember such places as Shillto’s, McAlpins, going to Swallen’s on Glenway Avenue, seeing the trains in the CG&E lobby, buying shoes at Marmer’s, groceries at A and P and Alber’s, Wiggins Restaurant, the Wheel Cafeteria and Habig’s, going to [the latest victim] Coney Island in the summer.
Yours truly even fondly remembers his Alma mater [Xavier] played intercollegiate football
 
This “look back” may sound a bit wistful or somewhat of a Dickens novel, but it’s reassuring to do on occasion — at the very least it shows we still have our long-term memory!
 
But we most importantly recall those family members, friends and in our case our brethren who have gone to that undiscovered country from which they can’t [and won’t] ever return. We thank God for our every remembrance of them; while looking back let us also look forward to new and re-newed relationships with one another in this upcoming New Year.

December 13. 2023

John the baptized appeared in the wilderness— Mark 1:1

 
The concept of wilderness is in our DNA as a place of consternation, the unknown, a void.
 
There seems to be a sense of wilderness these days all around us — anxiety of how many inflatable Christmas figures on the front lawn are enough, have we gone enough places, bought enough gifts and the like.
 
As Masons we know we don’t need ever need to be in such wilderness– it is important for us in the times of deep darkness to shine our lights this day and all days. When we have one another we know we’ll never be in the wilderness.

December 6. 2023

Happy St. Nicholas Day to all!

Today is the Feast Day of this 4th Century bishop of Myra, a day of “big doings” in the nation’s of Germany and Holland, where children put out their shoes and stockings the night before, and arise to find assorted gifts. This custom is popular in areas such as ours as well. Nicholas was a kindly man well known for his many charitable deeds.
 
He’s the patron of children, prisoners, sailors— and pawnbrokers.
 
At sundown tomorrow begins the festival of Hanukkah recalling the miracle of the re-education of the Second Temple and the oil which lasted eight nights. This is marked by lighting the Menorah, with festive gifts for children. Our own brother, Rabbi Isaac M. Wise along with another Cincinnati rabbi, introduced this feast in the USA in the years following the Civil War.
 
So enjoy this inter-faith look at these two feasts and practice charity and rejoice in the Feast of Light!

November 29, 2023

In just two days time our calendar will arrive at December, the last, shortest and darkest month of our year.

This month contains two faith-related observances well known to all of us, Hanukkah and Christmas, both signifying light coming into a darkened world. It surely seems no coincidence these come at this time of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere.

Perhaps it would be well at this time in the family of Freemasonry to remember the essence of our First Cardinal Virtue, Temperance. Let’s not fall into the allurement of the marketing campaigns to spend, spend and spend on the latest, fastest, biggest whatever and know to say “when”.

It will please our Divine Parent if we give selflessly of ourselves to those around us that are in any sort of need in any way, shape or form; He that sees us privately will reward us abundantly and openly.

November 23, 2023

Bring the full tithe into my storehouse that there be food in my house and put me to the test, says the Lord God of Hosts; see if I will open the windows of Heaven and shower you with unlimited blessings. — Malachi 3:10

 
Today is a special day, a day to gather with family and friends to discern the manifold blessings we enjoy; to give thanks for the Good Earth entrusted to us.
 
Today is a special day, a day unencumbered by sales and marketing, a day to put down life’s businesses and other sundry concerns.
 
I chose this passage from Malachi as it calls us to fulfill our duties with gladness and singleness of heart; by so doing we trust in the Great Architect’s promise to us.
 
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, be with our family of Freemasonry this day and all our days.
.

November 15, 2023

Sandy & I had our usual Sunday after church routine: lunch at our Chinese buffet. As usual we got Fortune cookies with the bill. Mine read as a traveler at heart there would be many journeys.

Well, by still having to hop around on one foot with a walker, I’m not too sure of literal travel, but it’s good to look at journeys we share in Masonry, which becomes interwoven in our daily lives.
 
We remember the first question we were asked at our ceremony of Initation whereby we place our trust in God, our foundation.
 
We learn the importance of this, which reinforces our need to be honest, temperate, prudent and just at all times thereby being able to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and our fellow man; although we’ve traveled a rought and rugged road we must not rest at the brow of the hill but must continue looking and seeking for what’s been lost; by continuing we will be able to have many happy reflections consequent on well spent lives.

November 8, 2023

During my period of convalescence I’ve had several recent forays in our car in the daytime. They’re much needed and appreciated by me, many thanks be to Sandy!

It is enjoyable to be out and about at this time of the year; how short our days have now become; much more severe are the shadows. It’s always been of interest to me that while our days are short that they are very bright due to the shorter arc the sun has in the sky.
 
I often wonder if this is God’s way of coming near His created to remind and reassure us that the Great Architect has established His house or kingdom forever.
We remember the countless brilliants in our universe, all conducted under His watchful care by the same unerring orbits and revolutions.
 
How wondrous is our Lord in Zion; so may it ever be

November 1, 2023

Here we are today at the start of month #11 already– and an unusually cold start it is.

Where have our 9 p.m. sunsets gone? As it’s now dark by 7 p.m., one can be tempted to get comfortable in the recliner chair and settle into the proverbial long winter’s nap.
 
There are any number of events associated with November: “fall back”, Election Day and our day to recognize our Veterans. Lodge has its own important days: the Annual Meeting and Awards Night.
 
It’s the fourth Thursday that’s the highlight, Thanksgiving Day. Our nation, along with Canada are the only two nations which set aside a day for a nationwide observation.
 
We as Masons understand and fully embrace this concept and know that Thanksgiving needs to be a daily occurrence.
 
So in three weeks from tomorrow when gathering with friends and family and before the turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie let’s make we pause to give thanks to the Great Architect for the manifold blessings in our lives.

OCTOBER 25, 2023

Monday of this week seemed to not be a good day for me; I had a Doctor’s appointment and found out that I am facing a significant health issue of congested heart failure. I will be seeing a Cardiologist soon for a future course of action.

As the Psalmist says that “Darkness is not dark to you” so was the day to me! Sandy and I had a nice remainder of Monday, riding in our car on a pristine Fall day with a clear sky and abundant Fall foliage.

We as Masons understand that in our mortal lives we’re not promised the proverbial “Rose Garden” but we carry on with following on our right paths. With medication, diet and a quiet life, I hope by the watchful care and blessings of our Great Architect of the Universe to have many days ahead of me. 

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Rejoice, make glad & sing.

This is a Refrain and Title of one of Charles Wesley’s 6500 hymns written in his lifetime and a “Boilerplate” of many denominations various hymnal.
 
While I continue to convalesce, one finds several things with which to rejoice:
 
For seeing the morning sky brighten 
For our Autumn foliage
For the heat & humidity leaving
For clean drinking water
For farmers & their harvest 
For not needing to concern ourselves about what we can’t do or change
For what we can do or change
For each one of our prosperity 
For the pure principles of Masonry, which bind us together, and especially 
For our great and beneficent Great Architect of the Universe.

OCTOBER 11, 2023

— Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God. 

Philippians 3 13-14

I am drawn to this passage as it surely relates to where I find myself these days, now into my second month post-op. I am reminded no could-have-been,
should-have-been or the like. I have been taking each day as is, and have been doing some Treasurer work from our Recliner chair — a definite novel experience!
 
We as Masons have all, each in our way, have had to travel a long and rugged road, knowing we must continue on the journey to the heavenly call of our Great Architect.
 
P.S. — A happy 36th wedding anniversary to my wife Sandy, who has and makes my home rehab possible– her rewards will be rich indeed.

September 27, 2023

I greet you today from my Rehab Center, where I’m getting Therapy and feel fine.

I am very thankful for Sandy’s daily visits & all she has done for me, to our ministers for coming by & our Secretary’s visitation.
 
Some “take a ways” during this period:
 
To invoke God’s blessing on all our undertakings
 
To acknowledge God as the source of all good 
 
That time, patience and perseverance will accomplish all things 
 
There is hope in the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
 
As the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Cornith, I thank God for every remembrance of you — thank you for your well wishes and prayers– I look forward to once again grasping your hands in Fraternal friendship.

 

August 23, 2023

We are speculative Masons only . . .      Fellow Craft Lecture
 

This goes on the state that our Ancient brethren working on King Solomon’s Temple, were both operative and speculative.  I don’t totally agree with being speculative only. Webster’s dictionary defines speculative as thinking, pondering, discerning, Certainly things we are called upon to do [and should do], but isn’t speculative a half sung song. We are doers also, each in our own way, On a daily basis. We work on building our own temples by our deeds for friends, all others and one another so that they will have created for us an eternal dwelling place when we lay down our Working Tools in this life.

August 16, 2023

By Geometry, we may curiously  trace nature to her various windings to her most concealed recesses . . .  Fellow Craft G Lecture

The other day, Sandy & I took a day trip to Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve just outside Yellow Springs Ohio; we had never been there previously.

It was a very nice day, the gorge was quite deep, even from a good distance you could hear the waters rushing over the rocks and boulders. It was for me a day when one could truly and clearly understand the goodness and power of our Great Creator, as this work of creation was revealed to me. I have no idea of when or how this came to be, but realized that there is another exhibition of wonderment. We would have liked to go down the steep trail and see more, which we may have done if we were much younger!

August 9, 2023

. . by steadily persevering in the practice of every commendable virtue . . .    – Fellow Craft charge 

Over the next several weeks I am going to be writing about what we have in our degree of Fellow Craft.
 
This phrase has always resonated with me. It lists every commendable virtue, but doesn’t list or specify what they are! I believe that this is intended to be subjective and open-ended to each and every Mason.
 
What are commendable virtues? We might ask. There are many – by diligence, doing our work honestly, helping our neighbor with trash removal, snow removal,  being there with an again parent or family member in need, or just anything we can do on a daily basis in any one of the various small opportunities that arise.  

August 2, 2023

And all ate and were filled.    – Mark 6:42
 
It was one of the most memorable suppers ever, the hillside picnic [not to be confused with the Lodge’s Summer Extravaganza 24 days from now] where a great crowd gathers looking for something to eat, which of course causes anxiety with unexpected guests – you get them something to eat.
 
During COVID back in the bad old days of 2020, we had many instances of this anxiety, were we took for granted full cupboards and refrigerators; it was frightening.
 
Masonry reminds us that we will never have to be hungry as our Tenets provide heart and soul food for us every day even though we can place ourselves on that hillside : hungry, anxious, waiting. We need not be in the front of the line – we will always be served and are filled.
 
On a personal note, please keep our friend and Brother Dick Fey in your thoughts and prayers today as he undergoes bypass surgery. Bless the surgeons in their work; we ask our Supreme Architect to return him to us once again.

JULY 26, 2023

The years between fifty and seventy are the hardest. You are  always being asked to do things, and yet you are not decrepit enough to turn them down.   –Author George Elliot
 

How many of us does this quote resonate?  I know for me it does quite a bit. It’s hard sometimes to say “no” when maybe we really should.
Well we’re not really decrepit, although we may have aches and sore muscles after having tackled an indoor or outdoor task, or that the flight of stairs seems to lengthen or when we find that it’s time to turn in for the night at 8:30, especially since there still some daylight left [but not for too much longer].
 
 
As Masons our obligations we’ve taken call upon us as a reminder that Masonry asks us [regardless of age] to do things, to live up each and every day of portraying the tenets of Brotherly Love, Truth and Relief so that the Light of our Fraternity shines  upon all those we encounter in our daily lives.

JULY 19, 2023

You visit the earth and water it abundantly; you make it very plenteous  The river of God is full of water.         

 – Psalm 65:9

Water – it is an absolute necessity for our lives; no one can do without water. The need for water is found all throughout Scripture; we have the need for rain in order for food production, in order for us to refresh and rehydrate ourselves.

Water and rain [not too much though at any one place and time] manifests itself as our Divine Artist’s gift to us; one wonders how much we take it for granted in our daily lives.

We should always remember that any time we turn on tap water or drink a bottle of water that it is one of many ways God looks out for us and we bless Him for this one of numerous provisions.

JULY 12, 2023

Devotion to duty is the highest form of worship of God.    – Swami Vivekananda
 
Looking for something to write about today, I came across this quote and believe its merit.
 
All of us, whether we’re still working [or did work] we have dedicated ourselves to the duties our employers need; we also have many other duties which we have [and continue to have] taken up over the years : families, communities, house of worship and so on.
 
The devotion we have to Freemasonry does also very definitely illustrates a worship of the Supreme Architect, through the tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, our respect and support of one another and all people at all times.

 

JULY 5, 2023

We are now three yeas away from the COVID pandemic, a time which no one would want to remember. Our world and daily lives were all turned “upside down” in March and April 2020, with stores either closed or restricted, restaurants closed to dine-in, employees furloughed, and so on. Everyone of us was affected.

 
While COVID is now [thankfully] is on the Back Burner, we seemed that we had “lost control” of things in our lives, when really we needed to learn that this was something over which we had no control.
 

Masonry is a wonderful reminder that we can only control what we do and what we say on  daily basis; that our firm reliance on Divine Providence will get us through our lives successfully.

I hope one and all had a safe & happy 4th of July.

June 28. 2023

I went to Kansas City on a Friday

By Saturday I learned a thing or two
But up ’till then I didn’t have an idea
Of what the mod’rn world was comin’ to.—Lyrics from Oklahoma! – Richard Rogers & Oscar Hammerstein
 

I have to admit that I often wonder about what the modern world is coming to, Maybe it’s ue to my [somewhat] advanced age. Streaming services, new electronic gadgets and how they work, and so on.
 
We don’t look for the “good old days” [which may not have been so good after all] as we live in the day today.
 
We have the good fortune to know as Masons that the Modern World still contains everything we need and have needed
since Freemasonry existed. It will always be with us in our daily lives, as the attentive ear still receives the sound from the
instructive tongues and becomes part of us.  These are wise and serious truths which sustain us all the days of our lives.

June 21. 2023

Today at 10:57 a.m. will mark for us the Summer Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere; our days have reached their meridian height!

I’ve often tried wondering what it would be like to be in a place today in Northern Scandinavia, where there is literally no sunset at all, or to be in Wellington, New Zealand today – the first day of Winter. Somehow I just can’t fathom June and July being Winter.

The Feast day of our one patron, St. John the Baptist has been established as June 24; “As He must increase so must I decrease” [John 3:30] Our patron rightly demonstrates the right relationship he has with the Almighty and enabling the glory of God shine more than one’s self.

These are two things we as Masons may take from John the Baptist as we too must always recognize our own right relations with the Great Architect and will one another.

June 14. 2023

Today is Flag Day in the USA, which commemorating the day in 1777 when its design was approved by Congress.
 

In 1885, Bernard Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher urged his students to observe the day as “Flag Birthday” and later published and essay in a Chicago newspaper urging Americans to observe. 
 
In 1888, William T. Kerr of Pennsylvania founded the American Flag Day Association; in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as the official day, which Congress established permanently in 1949.
 
It is a day both deserving and needing our attention for all, but especially for Freemasons; our Stars and Stripes are a visual reminder  that we are all of one accord  of the blessing of the freedom it represents for us to meet and conduct our Degrees; a reminder of all the manifold blessings each of us enjoy; and to ever be mindful of ensuring they last.

June 7. 2023

Laughter, it is said, is purported to be the best medicine.

“Where does the good Lord live?” asked the Sunday School teacher of a 4 year old boy in her class.

“In our bathroom,” the youngster replied. 

“What makes you think so?”, the teacher asked. 

“Because,” the boy replied, “ I hear my Dad shout, “Good Lord, are you still in there?”

A minister was in the family kitchen one day helping to prepare dinner; he was struggling with getting the catsup out.  The door bell rang and one of his daughters went to answer it; it was one of her Dad’s fellow man of the cloth.

“Hi, is your father home”? He asked.

“Yes, he sure is”, she answered. “He’s in the kitchen hitting the bottle.”

May 31, 2023

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures  — Psalm 104:25

Earth, alone all the elements, has never proven unfriendly to man  — Entered Apprentice Lecture

I have no idea of the number of species with whom we share our Mother Earth; no doubt in the untold millions.  We know and need to be aware as Masons that we today are stewards of all that is, in the skies above, on the earth and beneath the waters. They are all life giving and are for our discernment and enjoyment all our days.

In the coming months no doubt we will have an opportunity to go to a roadside market somewhere; it is one of the annual events of summer.  We will find there peaches, nectarines, watermelon, honeydew, corn on the cob, tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers just to name a few. 

It also should represent the confluence of our knowledge and efforts along with what the Supreme Architect blesses us with.

Let us hope that these comforts and blessings may continue to surround us both today and all days.

May 24, 2023

Tonight at Lodge is one of our annual traditions – Past Master’s Night, where the Past Masters in attendance Are acknowledged and most importantly put on the degree of Entered Apprentice. [It’s always possible that one might get to experience some “Past Masters Ritual” seep in somewhere!]
 
It’s always a good night for me, as we get to sit and talk about “our year” and shared experiences we’ve encountered when riding the proverbial elephant for the year. It’s good to see one and all.

May 10, 2023

A kind word will keep someone warm for years —  Chinese fortune cookie

When I got this in my fortune cookie a couple weeks ago, I simply could not let this one go by – by now you’re aware that I look for and use just about anything for these weekly missives.

It isn’t possible in my 33 years [next week] as a proud member of this Lodge and Fraternity to recount all the many kind words that have kept me warm for years. I want to share one of my most memorable ones – it was December 4, 1998, the annual Instillation of Officers; I was “going out” as Master [not for the first time, I was to return shortly!] Some of the “Old-Timers” might remember Al & June Kist. They attended, when Al saw me, he shook my hand, and said the following to me : “You know, I’m going to miss you as being Master”.

Kind words and the power of them are amazing. Kind words and kind deeds go hand in hand for all people. May they ever do such for those of us who are united in the tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

MAY 3, 2023

But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval.  -1 Peter 2-21
 
We’ve all experienced this somewhere and at some time.There is the modern-day version which goes as No Good Deed Ever Goes Unpunished.
 
Maybe it isn’t a case of literally suffering when we do and say all the right things in our daily lives, but rather a sense of disappointment that our words and deeds weren’t understood or appreciated. We feel a sense of “Why did I even bother, he/she/they didn’t care.”
 
We know as Masons that we always, when living and doing by the precepts of Freemasonry that we do have [and will always have] God’s approval, as our Supreme Architect leads us by a Pillar of Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night all the days of our lives.

APRIL 26. 2023

Has anyone had a sabbatical from their job? I know I sure haven’t and more than likely there are very few who have this as an employee perk. It’s usually University professors and some clergy. The idea is an extended paid time off for some extended period of time every seven years to be off the proverbial “beaten path” and can travel, write, research and the like. Nice work if you can get it!

Masonry, I believe, calls all of us, each in our own life situation to call upon this concept of time way of some sort or the other. We see early in the Fellow Craft Lecture the workmen on King Solomon’s Temple wrought six days, and rested on the seventh to contemplate the works of the Divine Creator.

Please find time for your own “sabbatical”,  turn away the care and concerns of the everyday world and discern and contemplate all the beauty and glory of the day around us, compliments of the Great Architect.

APRIL 19. 2023

  • For those who run after other gods shall have their troubles multiplied.  – Psalm 16:3

 
Do we run after other gods? Literally I am sure that we do not, certainly as the psalmist implies as well. Do some people in this age run after other gods? All we need to do is to look at some of the “other gods” that are out there daily – Slotomania, Fan Duel, Draft Kings, envy, greed, money, possessions are some that readily come to mind.
 
When people run after these “other gods”, their troubles do indeed multiply.
 
From Exodus, “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any gods before me” is our Great Architect’s admonition as how we should be. We as Masons are indeed blessed to understand and live up to our duties in life by ever holding fast to the Four Cardinal Virtues; by so doing we will not ever materially err.

APRIL 12, 2023

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  — Isaiah 55:4

This is an interesting passage from the prophet Isaiah; it dovetails with our third Cardinal virtue, Prudence, where we learn to provide wisely for both our current and future happiness and not to squander what we have on things which we already have and don’t need. We’re always tempted to buy something [thanks to the various Marketing and Sales Pitches there are]. Being able to put bread on our dinner tables is essential.

When we work [or when we did work] is our work a good thing, are our daily tasks and duties good things to be accomplished. We remember to always work without either haste or hesitation, knowing we as Masons work in tandem with our Supreme Architect to assist in the completion of His work.

APRIL 5, 2023

For it is the Passover of the Lord  — Exodus 12

At sundown today, our Jewish brothers and sisters will gather to share the Passover Seder as commanded in Exodus as a yearly remembrance.Tomorrow evening, many Christians will gather in their various houses of worship to observe Passover in the institution of the Last Supper.

At the conclusion of the Seder, those gathered will wish one another, “Next Year in Jerusalem”. This should surely resonate with we Masons, as we come a Lodge of the Holy Saints John of Jerusalem. So we have a figurative concept of Jerusalem as an ideal place, near the place of Isaac’s almost sacrifice of his son,sacred ground alike to Jews, Muslims and Christians, the wellspring of faith and belief in our Divine Creator.

What are we to make of this phrase? Please consider the words of Rabbi David Hartman that things don’t have to be the way things are.  “The cup is poured, but not yet drunk. Yet the cup of hope is poured every year. Passover is the night for reckless dreams; for visions about what a human being can be, what society can be, what people can be, what history may become. That is the significance of Next Year In Jerusalem.”

May we put our faith and trust in God to pass over from our fears, anxieties and shortcomings and walk with confidence through the day land of the Red Sea.

Many blessings to all during this special week of the year, Holy Week.

MARCH 29, 2023

After a while, I quit listening to folks telling me what I can’t do. All that does is motivate me more to do it.  –Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker.
 
Play ball! As another Major League Baseball season is upon us, I came across the above quote, from someone who’s had a long and successful career both as a player and manager. After 25 years as manager, he won his first World Series last fall.
 
We all have our limitations in our lives but we also realize that there are many doable things. What can we do is to remember to better ourselves as individuals so we can benefit ourselves and others. Masonry is the Lamp Unto Our Feet to live up to our potential on a daily basis being in service with our Great Architect of the Universe.

MARCH 22, 2023

For the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.  
–1 Samuel 16
 
Things are not as they seem. —  Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
 
It’s always tempting to see only what we want [and would like] which goes back to when we started walking upright however long ago. We’re reminded of the adage “Looks are deceiving” and encounter it each and every day.
 
I’m reminded of the phrase in the Fellow Craft charge, “The Internal, and not the External Qualifications of a man is what Masonry regards.”
 
We are indeed fortunate we have the correct viewpoint in what is truly important in our daily interactions – look on the heart  and not worldly wealth or honor.

MARCH 15, 2023

  • Distinguished Masons Desire Admission

If you’ve been through any number of Lodge Inspections, we’ve heard this statement, as various Brethren Are escorted in, introduced, their Title, and so on.

It might seem that some of us are more distinguished than others, but it is altogether right and proper to recognize those who have been able to expend their time in the service and furtherance of Masonry. 

Upon reflection, all of us who wear the Lambskin apron in our own way, through our service in applying our knowledge, time and abilities for one another are all Distinguished Masons; when we are called to put down our earthly Working Tools each of us will Desire Admission – to that Celestial Lodge above where the Supreme Architect presides.

MARCH 1, 2023

The other day Sandy & I were making one of our forays into a Thrift store [where one can find anything except Healthcare]and noticed all the many board games there were on the shelves. It harkens back to the days when I played them and realizing how many people of all ages play them as there is much laughter, strategy, fellowship and life-sharing that goes with them. Sometimes we get “caught up” in things around us that we need to get done while in the game – dishes in the sink, laundry to be done, trash to be taken out. 

But we as Masons know that these “chores” are things that distract us in how we’re called to live our lives, which is with our families and especially of the family of Freemasonry. They won’t be around forever; every moment counts. Remember the 24 Inch Gauge for what’s important; these moments only occur once.

Life isn’t perfect all the time, but can never forget to live.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

Tonight is our Lodge’s Annual Inspection Night, and as Inspection Nights come and go through the year, for me this one is going to be noteworthy : I was Initiated on February 22, 1990, 33 years to the date [I was one of four initiated that evening].
 
No matter how long ago or recently it was, I am sure we all remember the night we were initiated.
 
Do you recall:
“Your trust being in God, your faith is well founded…
Follow your guide and fear no danger… 
Being in darkness, what do your most desire…”?
 
Our faith in our Great Architect remains steadfast and well founded, especially when we’ve found ourselves in difficulty and danger. We no longer literally follow our guide, but now follow the Great Lights of Masonry wherever our travels may take us. We desire Light from the coming Light all our days.
 
Please if at all possible come out for this evening of fellowship and remembrance as it makes the heart glad to see the sidelines full.
 
Behold, how good and pleasant it is . . .  

FEBRUARY 15, 2023

But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  – Romans 8:24-25
 
Hope is something all of us do on a daily basis. One of my favorite illustrations of hope is our family house cat sitting in front of his food bowl looking up at me. That is feline hope, indeed.
 
Most of our hopes are fairly mundane ones. Some of mine are :
 

  1. I hope the car starts in the morning
  2. I hope my work day is a decent one
  3. I sure hope Xavier beats Marquette tonight
  4. I hope the Reds won’t lose 100 games again this year [wishful thinking, I know]

 
We as Masons realize that we are share in our common hope, and which is the most important hope that we lead our lives in such a fashion that we’ll hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter now into the joy of your eternal kingdom” when we lay down our earthly working tools.

FEBRUARY 8, 2023

A small gift can bring joy to the whole family. 

 This comes from a recent Chinese fortune cookie and find it too good to pass up.

We are all “gifted” in some way, shape or form; we being to learn of our gifts while advancing from youth into adulthood. Likewise, all of us bring our respective “gifts” into Masonry.

What better thing is there when we “gift’ one another with our knowledge, talents and abilities!This bring joy to the entire family of Freemasonry where we can rejoice and be glad!  

FEBRUARY 1, 2023

Tomorrow marks one of our National Holidays (well, not really)
—  Groundhog Day.


This silly, trite day (though admittedly harmless) derives from an old superstition that there will be six more weeks of Winter should somehow Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, and seems to generate from the lor that if there’s clear weather on Candlemas Day to “predict” the start of spring.

 
It’s interesting to note that Candlemas Day’s pre-cursor comes from the Roman goddess Februa, in which a procession of candles occurred each February 2nd.  
 
All this aside, February 2nd is for us a “mid-point” day from the Winter solstice to the Spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere.
 
Regardless if the groundhog/hedgehog/badger actually sees its shadow, we know that as Masons of our knowledge and belief in Light added to the coming Light.

JANUARY 25, 2023

1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *

who may abide upon your holy hill?

2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *
who speaks the truth from his heart.

3 There is no guile upon his tongue;
he does no evil to his friend; *
he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.

4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, *
but he honors those who fear the Lord.

5 He has sworn to do no wrong *
and does not take back his word.

6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, *
nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

7 Whoever does these things *
shall never be overthrown.            – Psalm 15

The tenets and principles of Freemasonry summarized.

So mote it ever be.

JANUARY 18, 2023

  • Be still and know that I am God —  Psalm 46:10
  • Nothing has ever been said about God that hasn’t been said better by the wind in the pine trees. – Thomas Merton

How often when we’re out and about do we see what appears to be our new National Pastime – walking around bent over, holding a phone in one hand while texting away. One wonders how very much around us is being missed. [A close parallel is seeing someone walking around talking on a phone]

Really, is whatever it is all that really important?  What is being missed is the essence of our understanding God’s presence with us and to discern what we could be dong otherwise.

We know as Masons about our Great Architect’s presence in our lives, all we need to know is to “take five”, discern our day and the manifold blessings and comforts that constantly  surround us, that Blazing Star which shines on us in our own Holy of Holies.

JANUARY 3, 2023

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, but could say “I used every bit that you gave me.”

— Humorist Erma Bombeck

As we being on the journey of this now new Year of 2023, I found this quote from Erma Bombeck timely.

I believe that it is a good summation of what we’re all about as people, each of us having our own abilities, knowledge and talents.

I will confess that what meager talents I have certainly don’t include repair or assemble, science and math greater than 2 + 2 = 4.

We find and learn of our talents and abilities all throughout our lives; Masonry reminds us that we are in partnership with God during our allotted  mortal life which will enable to better ourselves, our families and communities and leave nothing unused or unspent when standing in the Supreme Architect’s presence in the Celestial Lodge above.