Why position these two aspects of our craft in opposition, you ask?
Perhaps, it is comfortable to imagine the two as identical, but consider what happens in a Stated Communication. There we practice standard ritual, address the business of the Lodge, approve petitions and vote on new members, serve as an officer or in a station, go through the chairs, and occasionally have a meaningful discussion. And generally this happens only once a month!
Freemasonry is about realizing personal potential, learning moral truths, becoming better men, and sometimes, husbands and fathers. We can, and in some ways must, do this outside of the Stated Communication. Remember the well-worn phrase, "Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated in symbols." Purposes of Freemasonry are strengthening character, improving moral and spiritual outlook and broadening mental horizons. (See http://mastermason.com/wilmettepark/intro.html.)
It is easy to emphasize Lodge at the expense of Freemasonry.
If all our "Masonic" time limited to "Lodge" It is easy to "do Lodge" without broadening mental horizons and improving moral and spiritual outlook. So how much time do we delegate for becoming better men who build a better world?
It is a good question whether Lodge is a suitable vehicle for advancing Freemasonry - certainly, it is not adequate in itself. The idea of one business meeting a month benefiting the building of better men, Masons and Freemasonry is ludicrous!
Lodge and Freemasonry are like Siamese Twins, but joined at the buttocks. They are bound together, but face in opposite directions, have different perspectives, require different skills, measure performance in different ways. Freemasonry requires more than we can give it in Lodge.
Perhaps, it is comfortable to imagine the two as identical, but consider what happens in a Stated Communication. There we practice standard ritual, address the business of the Lodge, approve petitions and vote on new members, serve as an officer or in a station, go through the chairs, and occasionally have a meaningful discussion. And generally this happens only once a month!
Freemasonry is about realizing personal potential, learning moral truths, becoming better men, and sometimes, husbands and fathers. We can, and in some ways must, do this outside of the Stated Communication. Remember the well-worn phrase, "Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated in symbols." Purposes of Freemasonry are strengthening character, improving moral and spiritual outlook and broadening mental horizons. (See http://mastermason.com/wilmettepark/intro.html.)
It is easy to emphasize Lodge at the expense of Freemasonry.
If all our "Masonic" time limited to "Lodge" It is easy to "do Lodge" without broadening mental horizons and improving moral and spiritual outlook. So how much time do we delegate for becoming better men who build a better world?
It is a good question whether Lodge is a suitable vehicle for advancing Freemasonry - certainly, it is not adequate in itself. The idea of one business meeting a month benefiting the building of better men, Masons and Freemasonry is ludicrous!
Lodge and Freemasonry are like Siamese Twins, but joined at the buttocks. They are bound together, but face in opposite directions, have different perspectives, require different skills, measure performance in different ways. Freemasonry requires more than we can give it in Lodge.
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- Written by dsb
This blog is written by an admittedly stubborn, opinionated and inexperienced Master Mason, who may sometimes be (unintentionally) disruptive.
In following posts I muse about the practices of Masonry as I have observed them over three years.
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- Written by dsb
Don't the instructions from Grand Lodge encourage a Lone Ranger mentality, in which one person has absolute authority and responsibility for everything.
Masonry doesn't really have a Tonto, the Native American character introduced into the 11th radio episode of *The Lone Ranger* "...to give the Lone Ranger someone to talk to." See https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tonto
But with absolute authority to manage and govern, a Lodge Master may not really need anyone to talk back. Two-way conversation and collaboration aren't necessary.
Masonry doesn't really have a Tonto, the Native American character introduced into the 11th radio episode of *The Lone Ranger* "...to give the Lone Ranger someone to talk to." See https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tonto
But with absolute authority to manage and govern, a Lodge Master may not really need anyone to talk back. Two-way conversation and collaboration aren't necessary.
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- Written by dsb
According to the Lodge Officer's Handbook,
And from the Standard Work, the Worshipful Master is
The message is that it is up to the Worshipful Master to govern and manage his lodge, to set the policies and practices that dominate during his time in the East.
Is it effective to reserve the broad base of responsibility in a Lodge to a single person? Does the Standard Work or Grand Lodge anywhere encourage Brothers to collectively and collaboratively mold a dynamic Masonic life within and outside of the Stated Communication?
"In every Lodge, the Master has the absolute right to direct its operation as long as there is no conflict with the Washington Masonic Code."
And from the Standard Work, the Worshipful Master is
"...to open and govern his Lodge, to set the craft to work and give them good and wholesome instruction for their labor."
The message is that it is up to the Worshipful Master to govern and manage his lodge, to set the policies and practices that dominate during his time in the East.
Is it effective to reserve the broad base of responsibility in a Lodge to a single person? Does the Standard Work or Grand Lodge anywhere encourage Brothers to collectively and collaboratively mold a dynamic Masonic life within and outside of the Stated Communication?
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- Written by dsb