Comments on: A Message to The Dome http://masonicminute.com/blog/2007/09/04/a-message-to-the-dome/ Masonic Thinking and Working Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:51:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.1 By: the dome http://masonicminute.com/blog/2007/09/04/a-message-to-the-dome/#comment-954 the dome Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:37:40 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2007/09/04/a-message-to-the-dome/#comment-954 Needless to say I'm very interested in Freemasonry, but my primary fear/hesitation doesn't come from my knowledge (and lack thereof) of the fraternity, but rather knowing myself. I am a very flawed individual (aren't we all?) who does constantly strive to be a better person, but sometimes I become so complacent with my comfortable situation in life that I don't make the effort to improve. I believe I am a good person, but I'm not quite sure what it means to have a pure heart. In my discussion with the one Freemason I know, he told me that the search for Truth is one of the most hallowed tenets in your Order. This is one of the most remarkable statements I've ever heard and it is something I would be honored to be a part of. Needless to say I’m very interested in Freemasonry, but my primary fear/hesitation doesn’t come from my knowledge (and lack thereof) of the fraternity, but rather knowing myself. I am a very flawed individual (aren’t we all?) who does constantly strive to be a better person, but sometimes I become so complacent with my comfortable situation in life that I don’t make the effort to improve. I believe I am a good person, but I’m not quite sure what it means to have a pure heart.

In my discussion with the one Freemason I know, he told me that the search for Truth is one of the most hallowed tenets in your Order. This is one of the most remarkable statements I’ve ever heard and it is something I would be honored to be a part of.

]]> By: Mr. Ed http://masonicminute.com/blog/2007/09/04/a-message-to-the-dome/#comment-896 Mr. Ed Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:49:57 +0000 http://masonicminute.com/blog/2007/09/04/a-message-to-the-dome/#comment-896 My Dear Aedifico, For the most part, I have to agree with you; but.... there's that word again, maybe it's just quibbling about words. I wouldn't phrase it as, "rebuilding," rather I would state that some in the Craft have lost their way. For too long they have found the way, well meaning to be sure, to dominate our noble institution. However, many, you included, came and luckily found the old way. You had a mentor who had the time and willingness to point you in the right direction. You took the challenge and continued with your Masonic education. You display the essential quality to be a Mason, IMHO, the desire to learn, to subdue your passions, and improve yourself. I believe we are here to help each other to find that way and thereby improve ourselves and the society that we live in by our examples. That my Brother, requires a commitment of time and, in some cases, money. The bikes for books program, MSAP, the learning centers, the eye foundations, and the children's hospitals, to name a few, are manifestations our the Masonic commitment to improve the lives of those in the societies we share. That is important, but not as important as the desire to improve our selves. There, my Brother, we can both agree. My Dear Aedifico,

For the most part, I have to agree with you; but…. there’s that word again, maybe it’s just quibbling about words. I wouldn’t phrase it as, “rebuilding,” rather I would state that some in the Craft have lost their way. For too long they have found the way, well meaning to be sure, to dominate our noble institution. However, many, you included, came and luckily found the old way. You had a mentor who had the time and willingness to point you in the right direction. You took the challenge and continued with your Masonic education. You display the essential quality to be a Mason, IMHO, the desire to learn, to subdue your passions, and improve yourself. I believe we are here to help each other to find that way and thereby improve ourselves and the society that we live in by our examples. That my Brother, requires a commitment of time and, in some cases, money. The bikes for books program, MSAP, the learning centers, the eye foundations, and the children’s hospitals, to name a few, are manifestations our the Masonic commitment to improve the lives of those in the societies we share. That is important, but not as important as the desire to improve our selves. There, my Brother, we can both agree.

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