MasonicMinute.com » 2007

December 6, 2007
aedifico42\| The Importance of Masonry in America Posted at: 6:09 pm A generation (or two) ago, Americans had very similar narratives in their lives. We could all identify with the national struggles, the greater issues facing our nation, and the feelings we had for certain other peoples and nations. It certainly was a more simple time and a more unified time in our nation. This, mostly, had to do with the fact that; no matter where you were or where you came from, you had the same narrative running through your everyday experience. There were a limited number of media and entertainment outlets, and the information that we received from them was mostly the same. Today, there are children and young adults who cannot and do not have that luxury. For example; some time ago, I was sitting with other students outside the Memorial Union at Arizona State University (Go Devils) with students from all over the country. We all knew Charlie Brown, Superman and the words to the theme song for Gilligan’s Island. We had grown-up with Walter Cronkite’s fatherly storytelling and generally lived in a society that had a capacity for one portion of our population to somewhat understand what other portions were going through. We now live in a nation divided as never before along political, social and economic lines. Brutal attacks fill the airwaves and force us to consider the harm that other Americans are doing to our country, without telling their side of the story…an analysis that is no longer fashionable. There are no common stories, myths or narratives. I have spoken to this idea before…but it is worth repeating. The common narrative of the life of a Mason is still as true today as it was generations and centuries ago. A man, who cares for his family, community and country, who is willing to sit and fraternalize with others who are not like him. A man who understands that those things that unite us are far more important and far more numerous than the trivialities that divide us. This is the value of our fraternity. This is the importance of Masonry in America. Today, we are divided, as silly as it sounds, by our incapacity to relate to our neighbors. We see lamentations like “Bowling Alone” descirbe the separation we have, one American from another. We hear nightly why it is that “those people” are hurting our nation politically, economically, culturally. In America, we accept that there are differences that seem so important as to prevent our willingness or desire to listen and learn from others. Masons are different. Republican or Democrat, rich or poor, educated in universitites or by ‘hard knocks’, Masons understand that we are one people, one nation, under one God. So why is it, then, that some of us continue to be taken-in by the petty squabbles we hear on TV? How do we justify making snap judgments about other people simply by knowing what label they wear? What is so Masonic about intollerance and hatred disguised as patriotism or loyalty? Are we that pathetic to think that just because you and I don’t listen to the same music that we cannot have a conversation? Masonry is the shining example of all forms of harmony among men. From political and religious to class and opinion, we have the tools and the capacity to make our communities better…one man at a time. So to the brothers out there with intolerant opinions, I say to you this: think. Think about the institution that you claim as your Craft. Think about how our great founders came together…and the differences among themselves that they overcame…to create this Nation. Think about what you say and who is listening to the Mason saying those words. We may not always agree on the trivialities, but we do agree on the important things; that God created all Men as equals, that this Nation and its officers should be dedicated to protecting the Law (our Consititution) more than ANY other topic or issue, that men should act like men…not like children. And one day, when a rich kid from this State and a poor kid from that State find that they have nothing in common except that their fathers were Masons…may they have been taught those lessons by his example. Tolerance, maturity and a willingness to listen. There are many forces driving this Nation apart. We should be proud to know that we are one of the few institutions that has the capacity, and the responsibility, to keep it together.
MasonicMinute.com Comments (2)

December 6, 2007

aedifico42| The Importance of Masonry in America

Posted at: 6:09 pm

A generation (or two) ago, Americans had very similar narratives in their lives. We could all identify with the national struggles, the greater issues facing our nation, and the feelings we had for certain other peoples and nations. It certainly was a more simple time and a more unified time in our nation.

This, mostly, had to do with the fact that; no matter where you were or where you came from, you had the same narrative running through your everyday experience. There were a limited number of media and entertainment outlets, and the information that we received from them was mostly the same. Today, there are children and young adults who cannot and do not have that luxury.

For example; some time ago, I was sitting with other students outside the Memorial Union at Arizona State University (Go Devils) with students from all over the country. We all knew Charlie Brown, Superman and the words to the theme song for Gilligan’s Island. We had grown-up with Walter Cronkite’s fatherly storytelling and generally lived in a society that had a capacity for one portion of our population to somewhat understand what other portions were going through.

We now live in a nation divided as never before along political, social and economic lines. Brutal attacks fill the airwaves and force us to consider the harm that other Americans are doing to our country, without telling their side of the story…an analysis that is no longer fashionable. There are no common stories, myths or narratives.

I have spoken to this idea before…but it is worth repeating.

The common narrative of the life of a Mason is still as true today as it was generations and centuries ago. A man, who cares for his family, community and country, who is willing to sit and fraternalize with others who are not like him. A man who understands that those things that unite us are far more important and far more numerous than the trivialities that divide us. This is the value of our fraternity. This is the importance of Masonry in America.

Today, we are divided, as silly as it sounds, by our incapacity to relate to our neighbors. We see lamentations like “Bowling Alone” descirbe the separation we have, one American from another. We hear nightly why it is that “those people” are hurting our nation politically, economically, culturally. In America, we accept that there are differences that seem so important as to prevent our willingness or desire to listen and learn from others.

Masons are different. Republican or Democrat, rich or poor, educated in universitites or by ‘hard knocks’, Masons understand that we are one people, one nation, under one God.

So why is it, then, that some of us continue to be taken-in by the petty squabbles we hear on TV? How do we justify making snap judgments about other people simply by knowing what label they wear? What is so Masonic about intollerance and hatred disguised as patriotism or loyalty? Are we that pathetic to think that just because you and I don’t listen to the same music that we cannot have a conversation?

Masonry is the shining example of all forms of harmony among men. From political and religious to class and opinion, we have the tools and the capacity to make our communities better…one man at a time.

So to the brothers out there with intolerant opinions, I say to you this: think. Think about the institution that you claim as your Craft. Think about how our great founders came together…and the differences among themselves that they overcame…to create this Nation. Think about what you say and who is listening to the Mason saying those words.

We may not always agree on the trivialities, but we do agree on the important things; that God created all Men as equals, that this Nation and its officers should be dedicated to protecting the Law (our Consititution) more than ANY other topic or issue, that men should act like men…not like children.

And one day, when a rich kid from this State and a poor kid from that State find that they have nothing in common except that their fathers were Masons…may they have been taught those lessons by his example. Tolerance, maturity and a willingness to listen.

There are many forces driving this Nation apart. We should be proud to know that we are one of the few institutions that has the capacity, and the responsibility, to keep it together.

MasonicMinute.com: Comments (2)

December 4, 2007
aedifico42\| On Responsibility… Posted at: 12:24 pm The Master of his Lodge is responsible for everything. From Ritual to Education to Administration to Plumbing…a Lodge’s decisions are never complete until the Master begins the process of execution. What then, I ask, is the role of the Secretary? Too often we see the Secretary as the base and foundation of power. He is the man with the institutional knowledge…often a Past Master himself…and he controls the flow of information. The Secretary is usually referred to as the power behind the power. But is this the right way to go? Should the less responsible man control the Lodge? I would say no…absolutely not. The Secretary is naturally a subordinate officer. Even our Ritual requires that from his own mouth flow the following words; “To observe the will and pleasure of the Worshipful Master…” So why is it, then, that so many Secretarys run their Lodges with an Iron Fist? Why is it that Masters allow their subordinates to run the Lodge, even when the decisions made by the Secretary may not be in the best interest of the Lodge? It’s called laziness. Masters who don’t assert their authority are too lazy to follow-through with the required effort to make their decisions and run their Lodges. Now, to be sure, there are plenty of Lodges…mine included…who have a Secretary that simply pulls the Master aside, makes a suggestion, and happily obeys whatever decision the Master makes. This is a mature and dignified surrender to the responsibilities he has as a brother and an officer in the Lodge. He does not force his opinion - although he certainly has one - on anybody. He knows that the long march of time can cure almost any mistakes that a one-year Master may make. But more importantly, our Secretary knows that it is not his responsibility to run the Lodge. Masters and their subordinate officers must take great care to discuss, with maturity and discretion, their respective roles in the Lodge. Our influx of new brothers require the guideance that we can give them through good examples. Masters must assert themselves - not just skating their way through ‘their’ year - by fulfilling their obligations as the responsible man in the Lodge. I often hear about a Secretary here or there in our jurisdiction being the de-facto Master of their Lodge. It amazes me that any man would sit in the East and let a subordinate tell him what to do and how to do it. This is not a man…this is a place-holder. The eb-and-flow of the Blue Lodge is a natural consequence of the structure of our fraternity. But when you are elevated to the Oriental chari, you MUST be the boss. I am thankful that my Secretary is NOT one of those corner-sitting-Tyrants who would presume to know better simply because he has been around for a while. To those types, I simply say this; If you want to be the Master, stop being the Secretary! The insidious nature of that kind of character - sitting around year-in-and-year-out while controlling the strings from behind the scene - is anathema to Masonry. Sure, some Secretaries have forgotten more than their Masters will ever know…but what kind of lesson is it to dictate decision making? Let your Master be the Master. Gently remind him of deadlines and correspondence. If he falls on his face, it’s his fault. But as Secretary, you have a responsibility to the Craft that is best illustrated by the Compasses. Keep yourself circumscribed! Lastly, I will repeat again, Masters must rule. For better or for worse, because it is the will of the Lodge that THAT man for THAT term is the Master. If we all look carefully to the opening ritual, and we all do what we are supposed to do, much of the petty bickering and politicking that occurs in our Lodges will dissapear. Only then will we have the capacity to concentrate more on practicing our Craft, and less on running the Craft.
MasonicMinute.com Comments (2)

December 4, 2007

aedifico42| On Responsibility…

Posted at: 12:24 pm

The Master of his Lodge is responsible for everything. From Ritual to Education to Administration to Plumbing…a Lodge’s decisions are never complete until the Master begins the process of execution. What then, I ask, is the role of the Secretary?

Too often we see the Secretary as the base and foundation of power. He is the man with the institutional knowledge…often a Past Master himself…and he controls the flow of information. The Secretary is usually referred to as the power behind the power. But is this the right way to go? Should the less responsible man control the Lodge? I would say no…absolutely not.

The Secretary is naturally a subordinate officer. Even our Ritual requires that from his own mouth flow the following words; “To observe the will and pleasure of the Worshipful Master…” So why is it, then, that so many Secretarys run their Lodges with an Iron Fist? Why is it that Masters allow their subordinates to run the Lodge, even when the decisions made by the Secretary may not be in the best interest of the Lodge?

It’s called laziness. Masters who don’t assert their authority are too lazy to follow-through with the required effort to make their decisions and run their Lodges.

Now, to be sure, there are plenty of Lodges…mine included…who have a Secretary that simply pulls the Master aside, makes a suggestion, and happily obeys whatever decision the Master makes. This is a mature and dignified surrender to the responsibilities he has as a brother and an officer in the Lodge. He does not force his opinion - although he certainly has one - on anybody. He knows that the long march of time can cure almost any mistakes that a one-year Master may make. But more importantly, our Secretary knows that it is not his responsibility to run the Lodge.

Masters and their subordinate officers must take great care to discuss, with maturity and discretion, their respective roles in the Lodge. Our influx of new brothers require the guideance that we can give them through good examples. Masters must assert themselves - not just skating their way through ‘their’ year - by fulfilling their obligations as the responsible man in the Lodge.

I often hear about a Secretary here or there in our jurisdiction being the de-facto Master of their Lodge. It amazes me that any man would sit in the East and let a subordinate tell him what to do and how to do it. This is not a man…this is a place-holder. The eb-and-flow of the Blue Lodge is a natural consequence of the structure of our fraternity. But when you are elevated to the Oriental chari, you MUST be the boss.

I am thankful that my Secretary is NOT one of those corner-sitting-Tyrants who would presume to know better simply because he has been around for a while. To those types, I simply say this; If you want to be the Master, stop being the Secretary!

The insidious nature of that kind of character - sitting around year-in-and-year-out while controlling the strings from behind the scene - is anathema to Masonry. Sure, some Secretaries have forgotten more than their Masters will ever know…but what kind of lesson is it to dictate decision making? Let your Master be the Master. Gently remind him of deadlines and correspondence. If he falls on his face, it’s his fault. But as Secretary, you have a responsibility to the Craft that is best illustrated by the Compasses. Keep yourself circumscribed!

Lastly, I will repeat again, Masters must rule. For better or for worse, because it is the will of the Lodge that THAT man for THAT term is the Master. If we all look carefully to the opening ritual, and we all do what we are supposed to do, much of the petty bickering and politicking that occurs in our Lodges will dissapear. Only then will we have the capacity to concentrate more on practicing our Craft, and less on running the Craft.

MasonicMinute.com: Comments (2)

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