What do we offer to our candidates? Whatever you may describe it as, there is, most likely, some aspect that we definitely get wrong. In this episode, the guys are joined by Bro. Morgan Hoxie, a gentleman who loves to dive into the more occult and esoteric, but feels that Freemasonry needs to look in the mirror sometimes. We are all humans and we all deserve fair and just treatment.
We’re kicking off summer with a backyard-style BBQ on our Lot! There will be plenty of food (burgers, dogs, chicken, corn, and all the fixings), plenty of fun (cornhole games, football toss), and plenty of music performed by Bad Gunther (Peter De Lucia, Ralph De Palma, Ken Long, Jim Long & Bill Schumacher)! We’re going to be celebrating rain or shine! We’ll have tableside ice buckets for BYOB bottles and cans as well as non-alcoholic beverages for kids and adults. Tickets are $25/person (even at the door). You can bring/send in cash or a check to the Lodge or pay using Paypal (paypal.me/OBL16 ). If you choose to use this option, please make sure you uncheck “Paying for goods or a service?”.Any questions, please contact the Lodge Secretary! See you there!
After having a week off because of family, work, and fraternal obligations, the guys return relaxed and refresh. Andrew and Kevin explain their continuing Masonic journey, Billy jogs your brain with some Who’s That Mason, and Kevin brings a new game forward entitled Before and After.
After a bit of a rocky start because of their original guest having to cancel, Kevin, Billy, and Andrew begin the discussion that is Esoterica. Being such a broad and heavy subject, they have to reign in some of the ideas, so as not to make it seem like they are trying to have you drink from the fire hose. Let’s just say that the door to the Craft Store was busted open with this episode.
As I sit behind the glowing screen of my laptop, I can’t help but reminisce on the past month. Many things happened during May, most notably, a positive upswing in our great fraternity. From the degree, we had at the beginning of the month, to the indoor and outdoor gathering numbers increasing, and, with that, candidates, petitioners, and absent Brethren returning with renewed vigor and interest in who we are and what we do.
“The perfect being, you say? Well, I have to tell you the honest truth as I see it. In this world, nothing perfect exists. It may be a cliche after all, but it’s the way things are. That’s precisely why ordinary men pursue the concept of perfection, its infatuation! But, ultimately, I have to ask myself: what is the true meaning of being perfect? And the answer I came up with was…Nothing! Not. One. Thing. The truth of the matter is, I despise perfection. If something is truly perfect, that’s it. The bottom line becomes there is no room for imagination. No space for intelligence. Or ability. Or improvement. Do you understand? To men of science, like us, perfection is a dead end, a condition of hopelessness. Always strive to be better than anything that came before you, but not perfect! Scientists agonize over the attempt to achieve perfection. That’s the kind of creatures we are. We take joy in trying to exceed our grasp, in trying to reach for something that, in the end, we have to admit may, in fact, be unreachable.”
This dialog, uttered by the character Mayuri Kurotsuchi (from the Japanese comic “Bleach”), may not have any Masonic connection, but its message should be clear.
While we, as good men and Masons, constantly strive to make our ashlars as smooth and square as possible, we should understand that nothing we do can become perfect. To attain perfection is to challenge The Grand Architect itself, as nothing The Creator makes may be as perfect as The Creator.
Don’t fret, however, Brethren. The pursuit of improving yourself, those around you, and any other situation you find yourself in is, of itself, an incredibly noble, honorable, albeit arduous, task. This is one of the reasons I enjoyed the overall message of WB Chris Harris’ year (Navesink #9 – 2020): “Leave it better than you found it.” You may not be able to achieve perfection, but you can improve whatever it is so that those who come after will have a better place to start.
Honestly, Brethren, that’s all one can truly hope for. That you have made such a mark on your world and the world around you that those who come after will remember your deeds and celebrate your life.
“This is what it is, ok. I said empty your mind; be formless. Shapeless. Like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
While these words by the amazing Bruce Lee were said in regard to his fighting techniques, I believe they can be used in our everyday lives. Simply put, one must learn to be flexible and adapt. Standing your ground for what you believe is right and just is always admirable, but if this is your reaction to every situation, you will never learn all the information, about the troubles of others, or improve yourself. Some things require a more open interpretation and stance, rather than an automatic hardening of one’s resolve and refusal to change.
If you want a more Masonic allusion, water is another tool that can be used by the builder to cut away or smooth rough edges. Have you ever picked up a river rock? Its natural smoothness is caused by years of water passing over it, slowly removing any juts or sharp angles it may have originally had. Like that rock, you must use the waters of time to smooth over any of your own aggressive or negative characteristics. If you choose not to, you will end up more like the Grand Canyon, which has been carved away by the Colorado River, dividing itself by miles.
Everything we are taught in Masonry is meant to help us improve ourselves. Be open and adapt, my brethren. Be accepting of change.
One of the many things that was said to me as I made arrangements for my year in the East was that I would learn things about myself. Although it has only been a month, those lessons are already starting, and I would like to share one with you all.
Patience.
Some say it’s a virtue. Others, like myself, have a hard time finding it. Still, no matter how hard it is to obtain, we all must attempt to utilize it. If things are built too hastily, their foundation may not be properly laid, leading to a collapse of the entire structure. Patience allows us to step back and analyze a situation and determine the best course of action.
Patience is also the natural enemy of anger. Anger is quick and voracious, devouring clear thought and mindfulness without a care for the outcome. Patience slows the mind, grants us the ability to see through the fog of anger, and focus on a goal that will be the most advantageous to all involved.
So, be it through music, meditation, prayer, or whatever allows you to find it, I ask you, my Brother, to find and use patience in all of your endeavors, so that they all may be in your favor.
Well, here it is. My first Master’s Message. To be honest, it still hasn’t set in yet. With all the commotion and uncertainty that was 2020, the idea that I would ever be in a position of leadership, either at my job or within our Fraternity, never even occurred to me.
Sure, plenty of Brothers have sent their congratulations and well wishes but hearing the words “Worshipful Master” before my name, or when an officer or brother requires my attention, still affects me differently. I am truly humbled that you all allowed me to hold this office.
That being said, we have a lot of work ahead of us. We have been unfortunately tied down by the mandates of our local government, but let me assure you, this will not stop us from remaining a beacon both within our community and within Freemasonry. Brotherly love and friendship cannot be affected by this virus, so don’t let it stop you from reaching out and reminding each other that we are our Brother’s keeper.
Patience, my Brethren. Remain vigilant while we are apart. Celebrate the times we do get to see each other. Forget not the obligations you took. We will all get through this, and when we do, the event will be memorable.
Most Worshipful MW Robert V. Monacelli
RW Michael J. Carducci
R.W. Carlson Fischedick