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aedifico42| The War Within

Posted at: 1:19 am

  Communication is at the heart of all societies, especially of ours.  It is the way we understand each other that binds us more tightly, or drives us apart.  At this point in Masonic history, there is a struggle between the generations.  This is a good thing.  We are learners and builders.  We should learn from each other and build better relationships.  Our internal struggles should be seen as an opportunity for growth, not a painful waiting game to see who dies first.

  Let me relay a short personal story to illuistrate my point.  Many years ago, I was at a protest at my undergraduate college (they had free dinner for the protesters…and I was a starving student…and there were hot chicks).  Anyway, I sat there in one of the many groups, ours consisted of a dozen or so.  We got bored, and started singing songs from old sit-coms that we had all grown-up watching on TV…Gilligan’s Island, Andy Griffith…stuff like that.  The point is that we had common experiences in the stories (or myths) that we grew-up with.  We all knew Opie and Aunt Whats-her-name.  We all thought the Professor was a tool…you know…we knew the same stuff and could relate to each other better.  This was true even though nobody in this little group had ever met prior to this one event.

  What would you say the chances are that a dozen college kids today could come-up with as their own common ‘myth’?  Would they all know the words to the same songs?  Would they all have simmilar perceptions about certain characters?  Would they even know the same characters?  Unlikely…why?   Today’s kids have six billion TV stations where we had 3 or4.  Today’s kids don’t remember a time prior to cell-phones or the internet.  There is less of a common bond than ever.  This is why Masonry is so valuable.  This is what we must begin to understand.

  If you took the same litmus test and applied it to our loveable ‘old guys’ in the Lodge…well they almost all lived the same life!  WWII, Korea, Kennedy, Green Stamps, Howdy-Doody, Superman…you get the picture?  They all had much more in common because there was less to choose from (insofar as media/entertainment is concerned).  Their ‘myths’ usually include some singing-cowboy or a famously mysterious radio voice.  The thing is…they shared much more than we did, and we share much more than those coming after us. 

  We are all so different, yet we strive for the comfort of familiarity.

  The attraction of Freemasonry - the Freemasonry of esoterica and education - is what unites us.  Younger men and older men alike can pick-up a copy of Morals and Dogma and be equally confused and bored (apologies to His Rexcellency who so adores Ill.Bro. Pike).  Our brothers from multiple generations can cull Masonic meaning in great books (which I highly recommend) like Euclid’s Window by Leonard Mlodinow, or How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill.  A ‘Great Light’ of our Fraternity can shine with equal brightness for all brothers who wish to read and consider it’s worth…for “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” (psalms 12:1). 

  You see, this War Within our Fraternity is an opportunity.  We modern Masons can learn from our ancient brethren.  They can teach us much…and we can give them the respect they deserve, and listen.  But at the same time, my ancient masters…don’t talk to me about your prescriptions!  Your health is a concern…but your hearing-aide woes are not bringing me closer to my spiritual development.

  The War Within us is a misunderstanding.  We do not “get” each other because we come from different communication traditions.  We have different ‘myths’ in our lives.  But we share a common Craft.  Understanding more about the other guy and why it is that he acts and thinks the way he does is one great way to Love him.  Brothers must show Love by trying to understand each other.  This is how we continue fulfilling our obligation. 

Yes, we share a common Craft, a Masonic Myth…and that, my brother, is enough!

(more to come on the Common ‘Myth’ of Masonry) 

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