Fiat Lux Lodge R&I No. 4

Fiat Lux Lodge Website

More Fiat Lux Information

Masonic Studies Archive --------------------------------------------------------------- Officers: Worshipful Master: Christopher P. Hokenson Senior Warden: Anthony J. Giorgianni Junior Warden: Matt Landers Treasurer: Barrett R. Engle Secretary: Alan T. Nelson Senior Deacon: Thomas M. Ryan Junior Deacon: Erik K. Booth Senior Steward: Ryan L. Engle Junior Steward: Andrew M. Peden Chaplain: William E. LeVeque Marshal: Doug Wolfe Tiler: Clarence D. Grant Education Officer: Jason Makinen Comma or No Comma As you progress through your degrees you hear certain words and phrases. Understanding what is being said to you is difficult at first. I believe therefore the Craft asks you to memorize the work. Repetition and memorization helps your brain convert these words from gibberish to a beautifully spoken and largely forgotten language. Sadly, today in Masonry we are convinced that the only reason we memorize these works is so we can advance to the next degree or learn the remaining ritual so we can help with the performing of the degree work. I truly believe this is one of the reasons men find it so hard to find what they are looking for in our fraternity. Memorization for advancement is only a small part of the catechism or lesson to be learned. Whether we realize it or not our ritual isn't just a bunch of words thrown together to sound pretty and impress people. The ritual is a road-map for our journey to the East to find that which was lost. So, using this road-map how do we start this journey? The Title of the Map is: Masonry "a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." The second question we are asked, I feel is the most important one. Its answer being the guideposts or way-points of the “Road-map” towards “Light “. Q: What come you here to do?                                                                 A: To learn, to subdue my passion and improve myself in Masonry. My jurisdiction is one of a few that have the comma in the answer. For which I am thankful. Each word of that beautifully phrased script is designed to be studied. I feel the language is designed not to just sound impressive but to peak your curiosity and encourage you to research what you've heard. Each word and syllable should be dissected and studied to find out its meaning. We are first taught to approach the east by three regular up right steps.   Step One -To learn: To learn is to acquire knowledge; to acquire knowledge of a subject or skill as a result of study, of experience, or teaching; to receive instruction; to find out about, or discover; to be informed of, or learn about; to teach or inform a person of something. Before we can subdue our passions, we must study and learn about Masonry so that we can understand it. We must discover that there is an allegory before we can interpret it. We must be informed of its history before we can comprehend its societal relevance. We must detect its symbolic associations before we can grasp its spiritual nature. We must contemplate its meanings before we can experience its insights. We must be informed of its rules and laws before we can act within the due bounds of the Craft. You have been learning since your mother gave birth to you. You learned to sit up, talk and eat without assistance before your first birthday. As you progressed in age you attended school. You never quit learning. Expanding your mind through the study behind the ritual and understanding the symbolism which is hidden within is the first upright step on your journey from the darkness toward the light of self-improvement. Step Two-To subdue my passions: The second upright step in your journey to become a better man is to subdue your passions. I feel this phrase means to do things in moderation. We all know the Junior Warden is supposed to watch over the craft assembled and ensure that no one converts “Refreshment into excess” or don't have too much of a good thing. This is a lesson that is important to everyone we are taught that we cannot improve ourselves without first subduing our passions--without releasing ourselves from our own ego so that we can feel the brotherhood of man. Each of us has passions we find difficulty in subduing. Through the study of Masonry and its symbols will learn to identify the passion which we need to control and places us on the right path to gaining control. Step Three - And improve myself in Masonry: Each of these upright steps will help us improve ourselves in Masonry. Self-improvement, like Masonry is a lifelong journey, one we will never complete. Each of us, no matter who we are, need help in maintaining the progress we have made through learning and in our fight to subduing your passions. Interacting with Brethren who are on the same journey of improvement as you are should give you motivation to continue your work and help encourage another brother to work harder on his goals. Spreading the cement of Brotherly love does strengthen each of us. We must first learn before we can subdue our passions. We cannot improve ourselves without first subduing our passions. Men come into Masonry to learn. The lodge is the receptacle, the personal space, the sacred environment that they have chosen to facilitate their learning. Men come into Masonry to learn to improve themselves. If they are coming here for any other reason, then we are failing to represent with honesty what our organizational purpose is. I know it is hard to see how sitting through a long dreary meeting of minutes and paying bills will make you a better man but if you can look past what Masonry has become and try to see “what has been lost” maybe you can find the working tools in the ritual to help complete your rough ashlar into something that's a bit more perfect.