Saturday, December 11, 2010

Freemasonry, Fraternity, and Friendships




“The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for, and deserted by everybody.”
Mother Teresa


As we sit in lodge our eyes are often drawn to the pictures of our esteemed past Worshipful Masters that line both sides of the room.  Almost half of the pictures are marked with a black ribbon as a tribute, and acknowledge that these fine men have passed on to what we call the celestial lodge.  Their pictures are a reminder that our time here on earth is limited, and that others have walked much the same path through the Masonic rites that we do today. 

I respect these men, not because of their contributions to the craft, but simply because they struggled with the same issues that each one of us must also confront in our own lives.  Although I have never met them or even been told about their lives, I have no doubt that one or more of them suffered the loss of a child, the loss of a life partner, humiliation, fear of war, a loss of income, fear of failure, loneliness, desperation, sickness, hopelessness, etc.   I have no doubt that they suffered these things, because these are all human conditions.  If we live – as the Buddha said – we suffer.  But why would I discuss this when discussing our fraternity?  What does Freemasonry have to do with life struggles?

Each meeting, I walk into the lodge and am greeted by my brothers.  We smile and offer a friendly handshake before taking our seats.  Many of us know each other on a superficial level, and at least some of us have even gotten to know each other on a much deeper level.  The lodge is a place of geniality and friendship – a place to forge bonds over a common interest and shared goals.

But what about the younger brother sitting in the corner?  And what of the older gentleman who has been helped to his seat but sits quietly alone throughout the meeting?
What are their hardships?  What is their past? Has this one lost a wife or a child?  Is that one afraid that he will outlive his income?  Is this one a single parent? Was that one raised without a father or mother? Has that one been neglected by family?  Does this one have a family member stricken by disease or mental illness?  Can this one no longer afford his medication?  As a retired social worker, I could go on and on, and on.

Am I over-dramatizing?  I don’t think so.  I used to live in a small neighborhood of 60 or so homes.  One day I made a list of what I knew about my neighbors.  My notes were enlightening.  In four homes there were individuals who were being treated for cancer.  In five homes the homeowner had lost their partner.  In three homes people were struggling with enormous debt.  In one home a family member was totally paralyzed at the age of seventeen.  In another home a family struggled with an autistic child.  In four homes family members suffered from some form of mental illness.  The owners of four homes had been divorced, and the owners of two homes struggled with children with severe behavioral problems.  In fact, it seemed as if no one was untouched by significant life problems.

            So, am I over-dramatizing?  No, I am merely pointing out what we would all admit if we were to give it a bit of thought - Life is often difficult for each of us, and sitting across from us and to either side is a fellow human being facing similar difficulties on a day to day basis.

We often sit in lodge fretting over the mechanics of ritual, or the allegorical nature of our ceremonies, but far too often forget about the brother sitting at our side.  We cocoon ourselves, sitting in cliques, satisfied that a simple handshake or nod of the head is sufficient.  Can we do more?  I have no answers, but am eager to hear your opinions.

Respectfully submitted,

Bro. Tavit Smith         

No comments: