Yorktown DGGM visit                                                         December 11, 2008

The Gift of Light

As I reflect upon his address, I am once again reminded of our Grand Master’s encouragement to focus on the basics of our Fraternity – the light of Masonry.  Yorktown Lodge is an excellent example of this, as we can easily see their Brothers’ commitment to both the rising sun (in chairing the District Child ID Program – now called the Masonic Safety Identification Program) as well as to the setting sun (in chairing the District Surviving Spouses Program).  However, no light is brighter than the light that is constantly spread about our District by their Worshipful Master.  Not only does he preside in this Lodge, but he also does so in the Masonic Charities Corporation, as well as regularly appearing about, and without, our District at various Degrees and events.  But more about the Worshipful Master later.

My Brothers, in the midst of all this light, we are also mindful that, very soon, the year will draw to a close.  Additionally, with daylight still shrinking as our Winter Solstice approaches on the 20^th, it would be easy to focus on the light that is receding.  But that consideration I shall leave to lesser men.  We are Masons, and we are committed to seeking the light and to nourishing the warmth and illumination of the light of learning and love.

But how best to nurture and grow that light?  How can we ensure that, with each passing day, the light of Masonry will glow even brighter?  How can we become more enlightened?

While there is some disagreement as to whether the European Age of Enlightenment began in the late 16^th or mid 17^th century, it is generally agreed to have started in Central Europe.  From there it spread to the rest of Europe, Russia and north into Scandinavia.  We might be forgiven our own hubris to say that it reached its culmination in the formation of our great country.

At its very core was the critical examination of older customs.  The reason that the enlightenment was so widespread was because the practice explicitly included an understanding that everyone should be open to re-examining the way that they did things.  And, because of the lack of quick transportation and cell phones, there was only one method to effect this exchange of ideas; travel.

Even though the technical advances of our 21^st century has greatly improved the flow of information, there is still no replacing the importance of face-to-face interaction to properly communicate.  No matter how convenient e-mail and phone conversation is, the very essence of body language is still missing.  Even on a video link, you cannot always easily see the soul through the eyes of a colleague, or a Brother.

Although we all belong to the same Fraternity, and are members in the same jurisdiction; there are probably as many different flavors of that Fraternity as there are Brothers here tonight.  And each of them is valid for that individual Brother.  But does that mean that those individual viewpoints must be fixed and immutable forever?  Absolutely not.  We are taught time and time again that we should call upon the Past Masters of our Lodges for guidance, as well as striving to follow the explicit directions of our current Masters.  And while that is certainly a step to enhancing our perception of the light, it does not end in such small, parochial thinking.

Why cannot other Brothers in other Lodges add to our light?  Are they not on similar quests and likewise motivated by an expansion of learning and brotherly love?  Of course they are!  To draw upon my earlier example, Yorktown Lodge should be proud to have a Master who travels as much as the Master of this Lodge does.  Recently he added even more light in chairing a very enjoyable (and very successful) Charity Ball.  There are few indeed in our District who cannot picture his smiling face at the mention of his name.

Any of us who travel know the value of meeting other Brothers on their own journey towards more light; but why is the practice not more prevalent?  My Brothers, while we are now engaged in a growth period for our beloved Craft, the recent past was not always as promising.  Many Lodges needed to entrench themselves in their traditions to weather the storm.  Sometimes this led to a knee-jerk reaction of disregarding any outside influences.  But while a bunker mentality fostered from fear can be understood, it cannot be sanctioned as a blueprint for future growth.

And what about adopting a better paradigm that we see elsewhere?  Does it make us weaker or do we perceive that Brother or Lodge to be better than us if we emulate their example?  My Brothers, this would be as foolish as to postulate that the Brother in need should perish in embarrassment rather than reach for a helping hand.  Is not aid and assistance one of the very first lessons we are taught?  We are a Fraternity that explicitly states one of the pillars of our foundation as helping a fellow Brother.

There are plenty of pieces of the correct blueprint all around us.  Some of those pieces are in our own Lodges, and some of them are without.  While not knowing the name of Charles Caleb Colton, most of us are familiar with his well-worn adage that was originally stated as “Imitation is the sincerest of flattery”.  By the way, when I hear of a good idea from someone else, I explicitly tell them that I think it is a great idea AND that I completely intend on appropriating its use for myself.  This way I can both thank them for, and reinforce their idea.

Certainly it is important to see the good works of others without prejudice.  Do not see their success as such a challenge to yours, otherwise you might unconsciously compensate by needlessly pointing out some other less-than-admirable aspect of their workings to your Brothers.  Mr. Colton less famously, but also importantly, advises: “Men are born with two eyes, but only one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.”

There is certainly more light out there my brothers, you simply have to step outside the doors of your own Lodge to see it.  Do not fear that light, that brotherly love, and, yes, that truth that you will find in your travels.  Ultimately, our journey throughout life is all about the search for truth.  We are a unique animal in that search.  The majority of species of mammals known to us do not travel.  They are born and then die without travelling more than an absolute distance of 10 miles between those two points.  We are not made in that mold.  We are not like plants that become root-bound in smaller pots; destined to choke ourselves by our inability to expand and to grow to our fullest potential.  We are men, made in the image of the Great Architect and we are purposely on that journey for truth.  We are Masons, and there is no such thing as too much light.

Worshipful Master, I thank you for the courtesies extended to myself, our Grand Sword Bearer, and the Brothers in attendance.  My Brothers, some of us have already celebrated the light of Diwali and Eid.  Some of us will soon celebrate the light of Hannukah, Christmas and Kwanza.  And all of us will soon celebrate the light of a new year and a new beginning.  However the Great Architect so shines that light in your lives and in your hearts, please accept my fondest wishes for a Happy, and Blessed holiday.   Thank you.