Greetings, Brethren!
I know I will be far from alone in stating what a successful start we’ve had to
the year. Firstly, the Masonic year, beginning with a beautiful installation
ceremony that brought our brethren and families together, both to celebrate the
passing of the torch of our venerable and storied Lodge, as well as to rejoice
in the bonds that extend beyond it. Secondly, the new calendar year, which we
have opened with what was, for many of us, a first – the conducting of two
degree ceremonies in a single night.
This February also marks a first for myself – my first writing for a Masonic
periodical. I wasn’t sure whether to make this more of an officer’s address, or
more of a philosophical piece, so I’m going to try and split the difference,
and do a little of both.
So, on that note, here we are, having made a fantastic start to a new year –
the new year of 2020, to be precise – and such periods present an excellent
time for contemplation. Something that I, myself, am often asked to
contemplate, by outsiders to our lodge, is this question:
“What is it that makes North Hollywood Lodge unique?”
In answering that question, I find we might compare our Lodge to the year
itself. 2020 possesses a beautiful symmetry, and so does our Lodge. But while
the symmetry of the year is purely aesthetic, the symmetry of our Lodge is
truly key to who we are as an organization. What makes North Hollywood unique –
what I personally find deeply central to its character – is the masterful
balance we have struck between the spiritual and fraternal aspects of our
craft. On the one hand, we hold ourselves to an extremely high standard in regards
to our ritual work. Not only do we work to ensure our candidates experience
thoroughly rehearsed and well-delivered degrees, but we in turn do our best to
supplement them with further Masonic education at every opportunity. Moreover,
I am sure every brother now reading this can think of one or two members of our
Lodge who seem to know the degrees so well that they could have written them
themselves.
On the other hand, we have the social and fraternal aspect of our Lodge. I can
honestly say that nowhere else in Masonry have I encountered a group of
brothers so dedicated to regularly coming together on the level, as a
community, solely to rejoice in each other’s company and to enrich each other’s
lives as only friends and brothers can, all while introducing new prospects,
not only to the ideas of the Craft, but, more importantly, to the caliber of
men who maintain it.
While both these aspects of our Lodge are indeed factors to be proud of, what I
feel truly sets us apart – and what we should endeavor to preserve throughout
this year, as well as all years to come – is the balance we have struck between
them. Indeed, we should be just as wary of allowing the jovial and social
aspects of our Craft to overwhelm our dedication to ritual excellence and spiritual
growth (thus leaving us, as some detractors of Masonry have seen fit to label
us, “Rotary with a ritual,”) as we are of allowing the more philosophical and
ritual aspects of our Craft to overwhelm its deeply-rooted fraternal and
community-driven nature, which would lead us to neglect the bonds of brotherly
love and unity that allow us to not only better ourselves as individuals, but
which also allow us to act at once as friends, confidants, and mentors to one
another, all roles which are deeply fundamental and necessary to both the
foundation and practice of our Craft.
With that, Brethren, let us continue this year with that same spirit of balance
that has given us such exemplary ritual, such a thriving community, and which
has made me so proud to be both a Brother, as well as an officer, of North
Hollywood Lodge #542.
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