From the East – January 2016

Brethren,

In your present condition of darkness, what do you most desire?  Light!   This is a question every Master Mason is asked after he takes each obligation. This answer has many meanings.  The meaning has become deeper in my mind as I have received more light.  When searching out light, what are you searching for? For me, searching out light is discovering how to become a better person, husband, brother, man and human being. Always seek the TRUTH no matter what the outcome.  Truth, honor, pride, family, country, and God are values that we all hold close to our hearts.

When the Brethren are asked to form a lodge and assist the Worshipful   Master to bring the candidate from darkness to see the light by which Masons work, this is not part of the ritual for just this time, but for life.  Similar to the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”,   I believe that the Worshipful Master is asking for help from everyone to “raise” the candidate to understand the light and to help teach them how Masons are to conduct their lives as such.  The light bestowed upon us by our fellow Masons is priceless and it is something we should all be spreading.

When do you start to begin to seek out the light?  It began at a very young age in my life.  From my earliest memories, the Masonic symbol has been displayed in a wooden frame over my grandfather’s chair in his living room.  My grandfather was always one to shed light on everyone he in contact, especially his family and     friends, and myself.  He spent his life as a Marine, a police officer, and a factory worker, and in all he did, he felt it was important to demonstrate and teach the values of the light, knowing right from wrong, and putting others before yourself. This was the motto of his life, and now these values have become just as important in my life.

As we start yet another year in Masonry, it is with great pleasure that I continue to spread the light to our lodge and carry the many traditions we have as Masons!  May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue cement us.

Happy New Year!

Fraternally,

Jeremiah Phillips

Worshipful Master