Briarcliff DDGM visit                                                         September 12, 2008

Our First Steps Together

My Brothers, the Grand Master has highlighted three specific areas that he wishes to focus on this year:  our Surviving Spouses and Loved Ones, helping Brethren who are unable to keep current in their dues, and the proper maintenance and repair of our Masonic Temples.  I look forward to discussing each of these topics in more depth at my future official visits.

In addition to those specifics, the Grand Master has proclaimed that his term will highlight a “back to basics” approach.  This very evening, Briarcliff Lodge chose to start their Masonic year by reminding themselves of their third degree obligations.  I think that is a great way to get back to those basics.  The Grand Master singles out three core principles as “an indelible and indispensable part of the Fraternity…”  He goes on to list these principles as the basic tenets of Freemasonry: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.  Tonight, I would like to employ each of these basic tenets, as the Masters of our District and I did at our meeting earlier this summer at my home.

As we take our first steps together in this, my first official visit, I am asking each of you to take a leap of faith with me.  As we begin the Masonic year in earnest, I would like all of us to have a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning.

Let’s start with some “Truth”.  Masonry was once strong in numbers and unity of purpose.  Unfortunately, as our society’s attention turned away from community and inward to self, Masonry’s membership suffered as well.  In the many years that passed before society reawakened to the importance of community, Masonry struggled with survival.  Sometimes, survival of a Lodge came at the expense of another Lodge.  Sometimes, pride in one’s Lodge was expressed by devaluing another Lodge in comparison.

When I was Senior Deacon of my Lodge, I remember a mentor asking me to help another Lodge in their Degree work.  I was told, in a confidential manner, that they lacked the ability to do the work themselves.  Later on, when I was asked by other Brothers why I was performing this service, I perpetuated the callous remark.

I tell you this because it is an instance, of which I am consciously aware, where I did not exemplify the principles of our Fraternity.  I am sure that there are also other times that do not come as readily to my mind where I, consciously, did not advance Masonry.  I am also sure that there are other times that I never realized that I was not practicing our Craft in relation to my Brothers.

As sure as I am of these occasions, I am equally sure that other Brothers have, consciously and unconsciously, done the same to me.  I am not indignant about these slights, nor am I so self-righteous as to believe that the words or actions I wrongly said or did are justified by whatever was said or done to me.  But as of this moment, none of that matters anymore.

Now for the “Relief” part of those basic tenets.  If I have said or done anything unmasonic, consciously or unconsciously, directly or indirectly, to you or to your Lodge, than I am truly sorry and I ask for your forgiveness.  In return, I offer my complete forgiveness for anything likewise said or done to me.  Additionally, while I will not implore that you do it publicly, I ask that you completely forgive, and offer complete forgiveness in your hearts, to every other Brother in your life.

Alright, so I recognize that this exercise may sound a little unusual to some of you.  But isn’t this one of the reasons we say we became Masons, to improve ourselves?  Do we not profess to work for a better tomorrow?  Do we not strive to do this work in harmony with our Brothers?  Speaking only for myself, I have enough on my daily plate that requires real attention.  I am more than happy to rid my life of superfluous drama and any twisted logic that requires I carry some grudge against any Brother or Lodge for something that happened years ago; maybe even before my time!  So please, let us all forgive, and let us all be forgiven.

Now for the best part, the “Brotherly Love” part.  From this moment on, let us recommit ourselves to acting with true Brotherly Love.  You can’t see it here in my written speech, but I’ve capitalized “Brotherly” to emphasize its Masonic significance.  Let us put those ideals into practice in our words and actions in this great Fraternity.  Let us join the Brothers of Briarcliff in their exercise by recommitting ourselves to the promises we made when we first joined Masonry.

We need to remember that Masonry has its own set of laws that are explicit, as well as a rich history of non-explicit guidelines and etiquette.  We need to look to our Masonic elders, who may not necessarily be older than us chronologically, for guidance.

We need to respect each brother’s own definition of cabletow, and allow for it to be more generous than our own.  Yes, we can expect more from our leaders, because they volunteered for that extra responsibility; but let us never diminish the value of our sideliners.  Ultimately, we can never expect more from others than we expect from ourselves.

Most of all, we must remember that Masonry is not a right or privilege that is invested without effort.  It is a great and honorable Fraternity that rewards every effort, especially our efforts to better ourselves.

When we strive to better educate less experienced Masons, let us do it in a private and direct manner without condescending…after the Great Light in Masonry is closed.  We all know that whispering and snickering in open Lodge is not becoming to our stature.  More importantly, let us demonstrate the right way with our own actions.  When we err, let us proudly point out our own errors.  In fact, let’s try to correct ourselves twice as many times as we correct others.  I think that’s a pretty good ratio…to start.

Yes, we will falter sometimes.  Bad habits are very hard to break.  Experts tell us that reprogramming a good habit in place of a bad one usually takes at least 8 weeks.  So, any time that we or our Brothers relapse into our former bad habits, let us continue to forgive and let us continue to ask forgiveness.

Let us contribute to each of our Lodges being a great Lodge, amongst many great Lodges.  We know that our own confidence can easily exist without comparison or degradation.  So, when a Lodge or a Brother calls out for our help, let us not look at it as a weakness on their part, but rather a great strength instead.  Surely only the strongest could confidently ask for assistance.

We are great Brothers, in great Lodges.  We are ten Lodges who truly speak with one voice.  It is time that we remember our one purpose – to better our selves on our shared journey.  My Brothers, I thank you for joining me on this journey this evening.  I know that my job is to lead, but let us all continue to gently remind each other how to stay on the right course.  Thank you.