More Than Just Members: Reflecting on the Heart of Freemasonry

My Brethren all, today I share with you a piece that reflects my own opinions. Those of you who know me within the Craft by name or reputation know that I truly love “this thing of ours.” I love what I believe it is meant to do, its purpose, and what it stands for. I’ve wanted to write something like this for a while, and until recently, I wasn’t sure how to convey it. But my Brothers, I have found the words. I want to evoke a sense of nostalgia in the older reader, pride in the younger reader, and encourage everyone to think – to think about themselves, the brother on their right and left, the brother who doesn’t attend lodge as often as we’d like, and the prospective member who has yet to enter our doors. My Brothers, I hope this article makes you think and ignites a fire within you and your lodge – a fire that may need reigniting or perhaps one that will burn even more passionately and stronger.

I’m sure some of you, having read the title, are wondering, “What is this?” or “Why would he write this?” Why? Because, as I said before, I love this Craft, I love my fellow Masons, and I want to be known as a Mason who inspires others, who makes people think, but more importantly, who makes good men better. Now, let’s get into it!

Don’t be a Mason if your search within this fraternity is based on seeking personal merits. If you intend to stand out above others, if you crave or mistakenly believe that you will find recognition, fame, or wealth within “this thing of ours”, then you are on the wrong path.

Masonry is not a stage for selfishness nor a means to achieve individual glory. Rather, it is a sacred space where humanity, tolerance, and selfless service are the pillars that support our work

Don’t be a Mason if your purpose is to take advantage of this fraternity for your own interests. Masonry teaches us to be men of principle, committed to the well-being of our community and the development of our virtues. If your gaze is focused on what you can get instead of what you can offer, then you are not ready to embrace the true Masonic spirit.

Masonry invites us to use the mallet with enough force to carve the rough stone, enabling us to build the immense edifice that is humanity, but never with excessive force that disregards intelligence, which would only destroy what we have achieved. In its teachings, the fraternity always emphasizes unity, not division.

Being a Mason means working on the continuous improvement of oneself and others; it is to be a beacon of light in the darkness and an example of integrity and honor for all. Each one of us is responsible for cultivating these qualities and virtues. Only then will we be able to honor the values transmitted to us through the centuries by our ancestors.

My Brothers, I urge you to ask yourselves: What are your true intentions in crossing through this door? Is it your desire to grow in wisdom? To build bonds of brotherhood? To contribute to the well-being of humanity? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you have a place in our fraternity, and for all of you who answered yes, WELCOME!

To quote someone I admire and who has personally motivated me within the lodge and beyond, R.W. John McKoy: “Being a good man is not something you take with you, but it is something you leave behind. It is something you pass on.” I don’t know if John knows how profound I found that statement and how often I think about it. I’m even willing to bet John doesn’t remember saying it, but it’s something I have thought about regularly since 2019 and has been a daily driving force in my life.

Freemasonry is a journey of self-knowledge, dedication, and love for one another. Our actions must speak louder than our words, so that in the end, we can look back with pride, knowing that we have been true Masons in every step we have taken throughout our lives. Then, when our end comes, we can leave this world with pride and the satisfaction of duty fulfilled.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions with you. I hope you reflect on your Masonic journeys and remember what drove you to become a Mason. I hope that any lost passion has been reignited, and if your passion remains, I hope this reflection only intensifies it. I truly believe that as men and Masons, we serve a greater purpose. We should forever strive not just to make good men better, but also to continue working on becoming the best versions of ourselves.

Thank you again, my Brothers, for reading. May the Great Architect bless each and every one of you and your loved ones. I wish you health and happiness.