1
Published Articles
As Masons, we never discuss politics or religion in our meetings or
functions. As Americans we are blessed with the freedom to worship as we
choose. So, regardless of your particular faith, please join me and the Scottish
Rite Bodies of the Valley of San Diego as we pray and ask God for Wisdom to be
heaped upon the heads of the World Leaders as they approach decision time,
that their decisions might be pleasing to the Great Architect of the Universe. So
Mote it Be
Traditionally, May and June are months in which we honor our
Mothers, Fathers, and the memory of our Military Veterans.
First we honor our Mothers who gave us life, loved and nurtured us into
adulthood. Then we honor our Fathers who spawned our very beginning , were
there through infancy, teens and on into adult life. Mom and Dad were always
there when we needed them, regardless of our ages. Then we are united on
Memorial Day by the sheer act of being Mothers and Fathers, having produced
all the sons and Daughters who go off to defend America's interests. We pray a
special blessing for our Mothers and Fathers and a very special prayer of
Thanksgiving for our sons and daughters in the Military . May God richly bless all
of them. So Mote it Be
Our nation takes pride in not being obligated to anyone. That is
how"Independence" is defined. We have just fought a war to free a people from
the tyranny of a Dictator. Historically, that is why we became a nation - to
escape the dominance of others, to be free, to have freedom. We have untold
freedoms in America: to move about, to work, to play, to love, to worship as we
choose. We are free to accept the truths of the Creator or to deny them. The
truths of the Creator are manifest in all men. In America we are independent
enough to be free to accept or deny the existence of the truths. July is
"Independence" month. Lets celebrate and really be free by not denying the
Creator. So Mote it Be.
August is traditionally a very hot month. Also known as "Dog Days", I
really don't know what that means except in the hot summer time "Old Dogs" just
lay around in the shade panting , with their tongues hanging out. They won't
even get up the courage to chase a nice young rabbit. Many of us Brothers are
like those "Old Dogs," just panting and passing the time. However, we don't need
to wait for a young rabbit to get us moving. We have within us a Spirit that says
"Tell others about the Good News." Young or old, hot or cold, it is always the
season for that message . Shout it from the mountain. So Mote it be.
2
This prayer was given in Kansas at the opening of their
Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some people. When Minister Joe Wright was
asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting
the usual generalities, but this is what they heard.
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek
your direction and guidance. We know your Word says "Woe to those who call
evil good" but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual
equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that we have ridiculed the
absolute truth of your Word and called it Pluralism. We have worshiped other
gods and called it multiculturalism, We have endorsed perversion and called it
alternative lifestyle: We have exploited the poor and called it Lottery. We have
rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it
choice. We have shot abortionist and called it justifiable. We have neglected to
discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power
and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it
ambition; We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it
freedom of expression; We have ridiculed the time honored values of our
forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us oh GOD, and know our hearts
today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and
women who have been sent to direct us in the center of your will Amen.
The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the
prayer in protest. In just 6 short weeks, the Church where Rev. Wright is Pastor,
logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding
negatively.
In 1492 when Columbus set sail trying to find a new route to India ,
he had no idea of what lay ahead for him or the millions to follow. Once America
had been discovered and word reached Europe,Asia and Africa, it set off a flood
of immigration . They were all seeking freedom. In the new world it might be
freedom from crimes committed back home, freedom of religion, meaning they
could worship as they pleased or not worship at all. Freedom from taxes
unequally applied. Freedom from a tyranical government, and a host of other
freedoms of and from. Three hundred years later all this culminated into the
American Revolution and the Bill of Rights. Our Forefathers were guided by an
inner wisdom when they framed the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Spelling out
all our freedoms, privileges responsibilities and obligations to the Nation,
Government, each other and God, "One Nation Under God" "Creator" and so
forth. For two hundred years we have prospered and grown as a Nation, a
people and form of Government. Today we are privileged to live in the greatest
society on earth and experience more liberties and freedoms than any other
nation or people. People from around the world still want to migrate to this great
land. People around the world hate us, our Nation our Society and our way of life.
We know much of that is caused by jealousy and their desire for the things
3
Americans have, and much of the hate is caused by our own acts of self-
importance and self righteousness. Perhaps we need to pause and pray to our
Creator that our hearts be circumcised and our thoughts returned to the stated
purpose of our forefathers, that of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
And along the way remember to love our neighbor, confess the truth, and
maintain our faith in God. So Mote it be.
From the day of the Pilgrims forward, we have paused to observe a
time of Thanksgiving. We in San Diego should stop and give thanks for
innumerable things, The Re-Call election is over. For better or worse we have a
State Government in place. Only time will tell the outcome of their sincerity and
ability to accomplish the desired goals. We need to be thankful for our Armed
Forces, for the men and women who go into harm's way to protect our way of
life. We pray for their safety and for the wisdom and courage of our Military's
Leaders. Our Federal Government needs and deserves our prayers, thanks and
support. Such an overwhelming task and responsibility. It is mind boggling .
Thinking of every re-action any given action might provoke and even as bad or
worse the re-action caused by a decision not to act. We pray without ceasing for
our Federal Government personnel, from the President to the Janitor. We thank
all the above, for in the performance of their duties they have made it possible
for us to have a way of life, to believe as we choose, to worship as we choose
without fear of reprisal or punishment. We must maintain a prayer vigil. So Mote
it be.
December is the time of the Holidays. What does that mean to
you? A time of celebration, gift giving, visitation, days off work or school and
many more great and happy thoughts conjure up in our minds. Hopefully it will
be a time of inventory, Thanksgiving and Blessings. We all need to take Inventory
of our personal lives and see just who and what we are. What do we really stand
for? The persona we give to the public - is it from the heart or is it just a facade?
"Thou shall not lie" is far reaching and goes beyond the words we speak. That
phrase is understood in all civil law and is basic to law enforcement. So let our
inventory be true of our character and all personal traits. Let John Q. Public see
who we really are. After we have completed the Inventory, then we should go
into a mode of Thanksgiving, especially for all good things that we have and are.
Then for the bad things we do not have and are not. Remember we should "give
thanks in all things."Now it is time for Blessings. After we have taken Inventory of
our fortunes and personal lives and given Thanks for all things, it is right to Bless
all those responsible for our fortunes of life including our Maker. It is especially
time to bless those who have prevented us from receiving bad tidings. "Bless the
Lord O my soul with all that is within me."So Mote it be.
4
The New Year dawns and our lives are full of new
opportunities and adventures. Opportunities to serve our brothers and grow in
Masonry, and adventures beyond our most extreme imagination. These Masonic
adventures we travel through and experience are quickened and made manifest
if we allow our mates to join us. They may even contribute to the success of our
endeavors when allowed. What a lonely way to travel life without your mate. So
while we have them, travel with and enjoy together. So mote it be.
February brings to us a day of Celebration . No I am not
speaking of the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln -
Presidents Day. As great as they were and as much as our nation and in fact the
whole civilized world owes to these two Great Leaders of free society, I am
speaking of Valentines Day. The origin of this day, by whom, when and where are
no longer important. What is important is that we take time to honor our
Valentine. For it is this Lady that has caused most of us to be the success we are.
She has stood by us when times were bad, she has nourished us when we were
ill, comforted us when we were lonely or down trodden, she has loved us even
when sometimes , we were not easy to love. But in spite of all circumstances she
is still our companion, our friend, our, lover, our mate, our wife, our Valentine,
Happy Valentines Day. So Mote it be .
When we became Masons we all declared a belief in a
Supreme Being and a life hereafter. That seems like a very simple declaration ,
but when one stops, think and analyzes the statement, it becomes frightening
and with far reaching consequences. Especially when we realize that Masonry
alone does not provide a pathway to that Supreme Being or a life hereafter. It
therefore becomes critical that we make that analysis and know exactly who the
Supreme Being is that we believe in. We must know all his powers and
limitations, if any, and what routes are available to reach him. Once we are
positioned in the knowledge, to what does this lead? If this leads to life hereafter,
what are the prerequisites for attaining that life? At what cost and to what
benefit will it be granted to us? This life, remember is a life that must be
continuously purchased, like on a time payment plan., maybe , or work,
accomplishments, community activities, or public service. Or is this something
already bought and paid for and is absolutely free for the taking? Once Life in
the hereafter has begun, what will it consist of? Is it a continuation of life as we
presently know it, maybe, with some minor changes? Or does it consist of living
the life of Royalty in a land where there is no pain, no suffering, no crying and no
tears. Thinking back to that simple declaration "I believe in a supreme Being and
a life hereafter," ask yourself the question, "Do I know the Being in Whom I
Believeth."Covet the answer, and react accordingly. So Mote it Be
5
We have been taught from infancy to tell the truth. The family
unit depends upon honesty and always telling the truth. Even the smallest forms
of civil authority are based on God's law which is truth. I recall my grandfather
telling me, more than once,to always tell the truth, never tell a lie. A direct quote
is "Your word is your bond," "your handshake is your contract."He was a farmer-
builder and couldn't read. He negotiated many "Deals" and always sealed them
with a handshake. He said there is no such thing as a little "white lie". The fallout
from any lie is always worse than the results of telling the truth. So, no matter
what the definition of "is" is , the truth must prevail. So Mote it Be.
As children we were taught to share our food,toys, clothes,
and even life itself. We practiced charity when it was the correct thing to do.
Now that we are adults and often have the opportunity to be charitable, are we ?
Or do we let selfish inclinations or personal desires set in? I remember in the
1930's during planting-harvesting time on the farm, all the neighbors gathered at
one man's farm and did not quit work until all his crop was planted-harvested
and then they moved on to the next farm and so forth. If someone was ill, his
work was taken care of even though he could not participate. This is giving of
one's self. Giving of our labor and love is the best way we can possibly give. A
man I know made several large contributions to some Masonic orders. This was
his labor of love, his sharing of his abundance, his way of giving, his way of
saying "thank you". Some volunteer their time and talents to their Lodges,
Churches, homes or civic orginizations. All are labors of love and gifts from the
heart. The giver is always blessed more than the reciepient. Give whatever and
whenever you can, you will be blessed. So Mote it be.
July is the month in which our nation celebrates
Independence, Freedom, Wealth, Privileges and on into infinity. Lets talk about
Independence. This means we have the privilege to do, live, love , and to work as
a free man. To think the thoughts, sing the melodies, live wherever and at
whatever level of the society chain we desire. To love or not to love whom ever
we choose and whatever we may fancy. To sing the melodies of modern days or
the Hymns of days gone by. Or just listen to the others, or contemplate in total
blissful silence. We are privileged to live as we choose from contemporary
dwellings to beach dwellings, from the poor to whatever level of comfort we
choose. To work at a profession or craft of our choice, change as often as we
care to. All of these things are possible because of a loving GOD. All things are
possible with him. So Mote it Be
6
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that one day I
would become a Master Mason, much less a Scottish Rite Mason. Even though I
have been a Master Mason for more than 50 years I have only been a Scottish
Rite Mason for 12 years. I find it humbling to be able to serve the Craft when I
walk the Corridors in Mission Valley and participate in the Stated Meetings,
Special Meetings, Degree Exemplifications, spring and fall Classes and all the
other special events. I am deeply humbled to be a part of a team and accepted
as such. It is always great to have my wife participate in Valley functions. As
Prelate I am called upon to pray at most functions. This is a special privilege. I
welcome all opportunities to commune with God. So Mote it Be.
School is starting. New faces, new friends, new teachers, all
those new and hard lessons to learn. I recall having those thoughts as a lad and
almost dreaded starting a new school year. Summer is over, no more swimming
in the creek, no more lazy fishing days. Now I look back and see what a
wonderful opportunity our children have to learn and grow in our free nation and
society. They can learn and grow so long as we, their parents and fellow citizens
will provide adequate facilities and competent teachers. Even the scriptures
tells us to be kind and benevolent to the little children. We as Masons can
participate in and facilitate supplemental School criteria, teacher capability, and
classroom environment. Our prayer should be to loose the bonds or restrictions
in Academia and have the freedom to learn in an adequately staffed, healthy
class room environment. Then the RRR's will abound triumphant. So Mote it Be.
October usually signals that Harvest Time is here. Scriptures
tells us that the Harvest Time is ready, but the Laborers are few. That was true in
biblical times and is also true today in the realm of the Spiritual. It is also true in
Masonry. The Scottish Rite Fall Class is soon upon us and the applicants are few.
The labors of many are required to effectively put on the Fall Class. But first ,
Brothers from all Lodges must band together and secure the applicants. It is
always a pleasure when brothers work together, such as recently Brothers from
Lakeside No 760, El Cajon No 576, San Diego No 35 and Manatee No 33 of
Florida cooperated and raised a new Master Mason at Joseph L. Shell Daylight
No 837.Then Brothers of the newly formed Lux Lodge U.D. initiated a candidate
at and for Chula Vista No 626 and again on August 31st they passed a Brother at
and for Black Mountain Lodge No 845. The spirit of Cooperation is fantastic. We
have laborers for the Quarry. We now must desire that spirit to obtain
Candidates for the Fall Harvest. So Mote it Be.
7
The new year brings new challenges and new opportunities to
better serve our nation, church, Lodge and family. If our priorities are properly
established then all kinds of opportunities seem to come around. We are taught
that God comes first, Family second, Vocation third and then Fraternities. In
most of our lives much attention is paid to Family and Vocation first. However.
We must not forget that our number one priority should be God. Without him
nothing else would matter. When some of us became Masons it was easy to
forget or forsake God, Family and Job because this new adventure into Masonry
was an easy thing to let consume our every waking moment. This is not the intent
or desire of any in the Masonic Fraternity. We are honored to be Brother Masons,
however; we must remember our priorities of God, Family, Job and then gauge
our Fraternal activity accordingly. So Mote it Be.
Our Nation celebrates some very important holidays in this
short month. Let's start by talking about Valentines Day. This was a day of
celebration started in Europe a long time ago. As years have passed and
customs varied it is difficult to ascertain the original meaning of "Valentine Day."
However; in our hometown "Valentine's Day" is a time for young men to convey a
message of love to that special girl. For those of us who have weathered the
storms of life and are fortunate to have a mate for life, it is time to again tell her of
our great love for her. Many men give roses on that day, Others use cards or
verse and praise. Many opt for gifts of jewelry and cosmetics. One of my
favorites is a quiet dinner in a first class restaurant on the water. We have
chosen to honor former Presidents birthdays, Lincoln and Washington . And now
Presidents Day to honor all Past Presidents. So you see February may be short
but it is jam packed with activity and I can't think of it being any different. So
Mote it Be.
November 2nd is election day in America. As citizens we have
the privilege to election our National Leaders for the next term. As Grand Master
KIrkpatrick said at the Mason of the Year awards banquet, "We as a society have
said its O.K. when they banned school prayer, When they allowed our children to
obtain abortions without parental approval, when they tried to take the phrase
"one Nation under God" out of the pledge of allegiance to the flag of our country,
and when they forced the Ten Commandments to be removed from School and
Courthouse Walls." These are the same Ten Commandments that are the basis of
all law since Moses brought them down from Mt. Sinai. When we are in the voting
booth Nov.2nd, we need to be well aware of the Candidates we are about to
select and to purposefully choose those who will not cause us to look away and
say "it's o k.", when more human dignity, family decisions, parental
responsibilities and religious freedoms are about to be violated. Remember we
elect the man, God ordains the power. So Mote it be
8
Regardless of your faith, December is a time of giving and
sharing. Look around you. Do you see someone in need? If so share something
with that person. If may be food, clothing,shelter, or just a friendly face to
converse with . A few minutes of your time may be the most desired thing a
person might need. Remember the three principle tenents of Masonry.Brotherly
Love, Relief and Truth. These are the foundation of Freemasonry. Come to think
of it, I know no Religious Doctrine where these Tenents are not cherished and
practiced. Any belief that does not encompass these Tenents would not be a
Religion but a dogma for the occult. So lets put forth a special effort to exhibit
the correct Tenents during this joyous Holiday. So Mote it Be
Several times I sat down to pen this article, but it seemed as
though the source was empty. Try as I might, nothing happened until I
remembered our first admonition upon entering the Lodge in the Entered
Apprentice degree, where we were taught that "no man should enter upon any
great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessing of God."After
talking with "God" the words seemed to flow as if directed by the Almighty
himself. We are reminded of those brothers who have recently passed and are
grateful for having known them during their time spent here on earth. To those
who are ill, our prayers go out to you and your loved ones. We pray for the
recovery of your health and the cessation of any pain. We say a special prayer
for the widows and children of those departed, May all our memories be of joyus
times and may we be a comfort to the families. My what a blessing it is to know
your source and be able to call upon it .We wonder why we did not do it long ago.
So Mote it Be.
It is April , a time for new growth and of course, tax day. This
day is not so bad when you think of the alternative. We are blessed in many
ways. One is to pay our taxes. It's not a burden but a privilege. America levies
taxes based upon ones income. If you make a little, you pay a little. If you make a
lot, you pay a lot. Seems fair to me. The Holy Writings remind us to "Pay unto
Caesar what is due Caesar." In other words you live and work in America and
therefore you are entitled to all the benefits and privileges of an American
Citizen. The cost ? Pay your Taxes. So Mote it Be.
Sometimes our weeks, months, and years go by seemingly
drab and dismal. The gray blanket of life's clouds may smother us with dreary
circumstances and obligations, unresolved fears, and prideful problems. Life
may not hold a lot of excitement for us, but the time will come when that will
change. We learn in the Holy Writings that when we go to the Father's House,
those who love the Lord shall "shine as the sun." No more dreary, dull drab, gray
time for us. We shall, shine as the sun - very bright. Healed, whole, radiating his
love. These words are certainly a comfort to me, and I hope they are to you as
well. As brothers, let's share the good news with those around us. So Mote it Be
9
June is when a young man's fancy turns to love,
summer begins, Blue Lodge officers move up in station for next year, and so on.
There are many opportunities to serve the Craft and our fellow man. The
opportunities don't stop just because we don't act upon them. If you miss a
particular opportunity, don't hesitate, seize the next one and move on.
Opportunities are numerous and always available with in the Masonic Fraternity,
as long as we don't get blinded by pride and self importance. Remember, it takes
the whole body to function, not just the arm wavers, foot stompers, and horn
tooters. Look ahead. There will be another opportunity to serve. Grasp it and
move on. So Mote it Be .
When I was a child there were comic books like Flash
Gordon, Superman, Wonder Woman Etc: Stories about travel to the moon, super
human strength, and other special powers. These are no longer stories or
dreams but realities that we witness as man's knowledge increases and he
continues to "dream an impossible dreams." Men have now walked on the moon
and the ocean floor as his ability to learn and dream is increased. All of these
things are possible because God has opened the minds of men. He is the same
Master Planner that for centuries had man eating raw meat until he had learned
to build and control fire so he could cook. Now think of all the many forms of
prepared and packaged meals and Microwaves. Even running water in the house
and not in the stream. Yes, even indoor plumbing. These are but a few examples
of how God has allowed man to dream, think, learn, and grow. God has allowed
us to be truly Free. So Mote it Be
As we enter into October we realize that the
Harvest season is upon us. If we, as Harvesters, are not prepared for our task,
the Harvest will surely fail. Even though things are ripe for harvest, let's not
loose it in a poorly performed Harvest. A parallell would be with a budding
democracy of Iraq, approaching their first democratic harvest on October 15,
when they vote on their constitution. Let's pray that there be a harvest to go
down in the annals of history as a truly abundant one in that land of non
democratic neighbors. May God grant these harvesters the wisdom to perform
their tasks, the courage to see it through and the safety of a true democracy. So
Mote it Be
10
When we became Masons, we said we believed in God
and a hereafter. It is time to let the world know that when they attempt to limit
reference to "GOD" in our pledge, they are playing straight into the hands of the
"Great Satan".. His object is to eliminate any reference to "GOD." He succeded
when we removed prayer from public schools and school athletic events. Don't
our politicians know that if a soccer game was to be played in almost any other
country that they would say a prayer for the safety of the players and success of
the game, not to convert anyone to their faith? Isn't that what we did at High
School football games across our land until it was stopped by laws that protect
the wishes of a few and not the majority? We have left the Articles of Faith used
by our Founding Fathers to sooth the waves of media and press and fan the
flames of hatred and mistrust instead of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. We
must prevail upon our political representatives to put forth legislation, lobby for
and cause it to become law, the fact that "Freedom of Religion" does not mean
leave out "GOD." So Mote it Me
I was startled when I picked up the San Diego Union
and saw the most amazing dual headlines. On the left was "Death toll hits 2000
for U.S. in Iraq".On the right was " Iraq Constitution O.K.'d". It is most terrible to
even imagine that 2000 American lives would be lost, or any life for that matter.
However, let the whole world know that Freedom and Democracy live and are
worth all the sacrifices made through the ages. From the parting of the Red Sea
thru Concord, Gettysburg, Aragon Forest, The Battle of the Bulge, Leyte Gulf,
Choisin Reservoir, Desert Storm and now, Democracy lives in this once dreadful
place called Iraq. It makes me sad to think of all those who come against
America and its Freedoms. Are they really against us or they only sad and angry
that they have not been afforded the same Freedoms and Privileges as we
Americans? During this holiday season, and always, let us pray for the safety of
our troops, and lets not forget a prayer for the people our troops are trying to
help. We should also include those who are fighting against us. If we do maybe
the Lord will help them see there is a better way of doing things. So Mote it Be.
A new day dawns a new baby is born, a new life begins
and for us a new year begins. Think of all the possibilities for the new Scottish
Rite masons just made in November. For them it certainly is a new day dawning
and they are coming as a baby, just out of diapers from the Blue Lodge. This new
year for them is the beginning of the rest of their Masonic lives . We who have
been around a while are duty bound to nurture these (babies) new Scottish Rite
Masons, and see that they progress beyond the crawling stage, into mature
Masons in the advanced stages of Masonry. So Mote it Be
11
As I looked at my calendar for February, searching for a
subject to write about, I was struck by the first notation "Ground Hog Day." I
remember all the old wives tales told to us as kids about what would happen ,
weather wise, if the Ground Hog saw his shadow on that day. Having aged some
since that, I learned that the "Ground Hog" really did not have anything to do
with the weather, but looking back as a kid, it was nice to listen to all the stories.
In Masonry we don't have a "Ground Hog" or any other thing to blame for our
shrinking membership except the examples we set before the world. Why would
a young man want to become one of us? Would he see something he liked for
himself and family? What we as Masons say and do in the world is broadcast
many tines over as good or bad. We need to let the light shine so that it will
attract those worthy brothers. There is no need to hide our light and go into the
shadows. So Mote it Be.
Many times while pondering what to write I, am either
lost for words or have so many topics its hard to select one. This month I have
chosen "Changing Times," a prayer by Paul Harvey.
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and seek
your direction and guidance. We know your word says woe to those who call evil
good, but that is exactly what we have done . We have lost our spiritual
equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the
lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our
unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionist and called it justifiable. We
have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We
have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's
possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and
pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time
honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us,oh God,
and know our hearts today . Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen
When Paul Harvey said this prayer on the air on his program "The Rest of the
Story," he received the largest response he had ever received from a prayer.
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and whole heartedly
become our desire so that we again can be called "One Nation Under God" So
Mote it Be
12
How long has it been since you really practiced the
Tennants of Freemasonry, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth? Have you really felt
Brotherly Love for a particular Brother lately, or have you just passed by the
occasion as if to say to yourselves"he will be o.k.," I'm busy, or someone else
will care? Brotherly Love is our "Corporate" responsibility to all Brothers under
all circumstances, at all times. Relief is something that we don't usually want to
think about. Sure, we will make the regular contributions to our favorite
institutions, this salves our conscience. How long since you were made aware of
a Brother's need and passed it by thinking his church or welfare will take care of
him? We said we would fly to the Relief of a worthy Brother. It is time we
practiced our obligation. Truth is a word that stands alone, on its own, needing
no defense. There is never any excuse for anything other than the truth. Pure
untarnished, vanilla truth. What a breath of fresh air it is when Truth is spoken. It
satisfies all our ills. We Masons obligated ourselves to practice these tenents in
our everyday lives. There are not as many of us as there were twenty or thirty
years ago, but if we who are left were to practice these tenents as we said we
would, what an example we would set for the rest of the world. What a better
world it could be . So Mote it Be
In the secular world Satan is the "Prince of the Power of
the air. He goes about seeking whomever he can devour. The word "devour" has
many meanings and interpretations: occupying our minds so we cannot think
positive thoughts, filling our hearts with "lust," and that one word "lust" takes on
a whole new dimension when controlling our wants, desires, and wishes. If he
can control our thoughts and actions then he has succeeded. He has taken us
away from our Father's business. One sure way to combat and overcome the
"Prince of the Power of the air," is to quote scripture, pray and invoke the word
of GOD, regardless of your faith. When you invoke the blessings of GOD, Satan
must flee, leaving us free to live and act as our hearts dictate. Satan knows
scripture and as such knows we win and he looses. So Mote it Be.
I just glanced at my calendar and low and behold it is
June already. I also discovered that two very important days fall in June. Flag
Day and Father's Day. These two days go hand in hand, for without the efforts of
our fathers, grandfathers, and so forth, who fought and died, lived and loved,
and gave us our freedom, we would not have a flag to fly or a day to celebrate it.
Thanks to our fathers and forefathers for giving us this flag day. So Mote it Be.
13
We celebrate Independence Day this month and the
word Independence brings to mind all sorts of memories. I can recall feeling that
I would never grow big enough, old enough, or trustworthy enough, in my
parents eyes, to go out alone. Then, on my 21st birthday, I suddenly felt adult
supervision or approval for my actions was no longer required. Boy, that felt
good at first until I realized that being independent also meant being responsible
for my actions and my independence. Our lives can take many roads and lead to
different adventures. We who travel independently are always called upon to
account for our actions. Spiritually, we can not rely upon or depend upon anyone
else, we must travel that journey alone, without the aid or protection of others.
Our Independence allows us to have Faith and that Faith then really makes us
Independent of earthly distractions and enables us to continue on that
Independent Heavenly Journey. So Mote it Be
As I sat, pen in hand, the words just would not flow.
Then I remembered that any important undertaking should be preceded by
prayer. What is a prayer? It is a petition to God seeking his help in accomplishing
something one cannot do by one's self. The scriptures quote him when he says"I
Am That I Am", and that phrase about covers it. Our prayers do not need to de
dressed in great and fancy words. Plain and simple will do. After all, he knows
our hearts and needs even before we pray. So you see, we can talk to him in our
language, in words that we use every day, he understands all of them. And when
we continue with a prayer on our lips and in our heart, that crowds out all other
thoughts. Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing and to be mindful of others
who pray. In days of old, publicans who prayed, wore bells sewn to their skirts
so as to make noise and to be heard while praying. This causes one to stop and
reflect on our prayer life. Do we have bells on our skirts so we can be heard by
man when we pray, or are we humble and trust "GOD" to know and hear our
prayers even before we pray. So Mote it Be
14
This month we celebrate "Labor Day." As I look back on
the great Labor Union strikes of the past I see that they all reaped many benefits
for the working man, not just financially but improving the work place,
environment, and worker safety. What puzzles me today is reading of a
professional who will no longer report for work until his contract is renegotiated.
The scriptures give us a good parable. A Man was engaged to dress a vineyard
for a day for a "Penny." Sometime later another man was engaged to dress the
vineyard for the remainder of that day, also for a "Penny."It doesn't matter that
one man's task was for a whole day and the other man's task was for part of a
day. Both men agreed to do the assigned task for a "Penny." If this were to
happen today someone would probably try to cause a work stoppage or a strike
in an attempt to renegotiate both men's contract. If a contract is in force that
means all parties have agreed to it and its terms should be met. Whether we
have contracts or not we should all live up to our word. We should do what we
say we will do, when we say we will do it for the agreed upon compensation. Our
word should be our bond a Standard to live by. A great President once said "Its
O.K. to make a Profit" So Mote it Be.
Harvest time is almost upon us. As with any harvest, it is
always labor intensive. That means we must have Harvesters to satisfactorily
complete the Harvest. I can remember from my farm days that Harvest time was
always busy, with extra labor and extra mouths to feed. Whether the crop was
corn, potatoes, hay, cotton or tobacco, it took lots of labor and lots of food. But
suffice it to say, once the Harvest was complete and the crop had been gathered
and put into storage, the work was not finished but must now be cared for. Corn
had to be ventilated and dried in its crib or it would rot. Potatoes had to be
stored and maintained dry and not freeze during the winter months, repackaged
and shipped to market in the next spring. Tobacco was hung in a barn, fired,
"smoked with cool smoke," cured, stripped, tied into hands, packaged into
baskets and shipped to market to be auctioned off. All this sounds a lot like
Masonry. We get a Candidate and thru due process he is investigated, voted
upon, initiated, passed and raised. Is the Harvest complete? I don't think so . The
work, nurturing, grooming training and teaching is still to be done, to prepare
him for his Masonic Journey, including the affiliated bodies. Regardless of the
size of the Harvest, even though the fields be ripe, there exists a true need for
Harvesters. See your local Lodge, Valley,Chapter and volunteer to become a
Harvester for the Craft. So Mote it Be.
15
Thanksgiving is a special time and season of the year.
Let your mind wonder and just see what pictures you can conjure up from your
childhood, yesteryear or last week. They should all be beautiful. So whatever
frame of mind you were in two minutes ago -please relax and close your eyes and
dream a dream of times that you liked and those good times such as Sunday
Dinner with chicken & dressing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, or roast beef
and all that is good and makes for a delicious meal at Grandmother's house.
After dinner there were games to play or maybe just a short nap. Whatever your
fancy is, let it loose and live, because as one of God's Chosen ones, you deserve
to have the best available. If you think you can not afford this, then just dream of
the ones you once had. After all, the scriptures tells us that old men will dream
dreams . So dream on . Help a Brother if you can. Be happy and thankful for all
the Blessings that you have. So Mote it Be
Christmas time is upon us and what a privilege it is to
understand and know the meaning of Christmas. In our society, it has become
politically correct to call it the "Holiday Season" or "Xmas." However, neither of
these names does justice to the real Christmas. Some people call it Hanukkah
because that is what their Faith calls for.Some people in Canada and Europe call
it "Boxing Day" which is really the day after Christmas. The season and the day
of Christmas have different meanings for different people. Regardless of what
any of us call it, It is still a special day. No one should feel ashamed for calling it
by whatever name they may prefer for whatever reason they may have. Know
what you believe. Stand up for it and Christmas will always be Christmas,
Hanukkah will be Hanukkah and Boxing Day will be Boxing Day. Merry Christmas
and may God Bless you . So Mote it Be.
We are blessed to be starting a new year in a country
that still relishes freedom for the individual. In many countries the citizenry
doesn't know or care if there is a new year. Their only thoughts are for the old
one to end and that they will have some food and a semblance of safety for their
family and themselves. Our Craft has as its three Principle Tenents, Brotherly
Love, Relief and Truth. If these three basic tenents were adopted by all the
Governments of the world, what a change that would make. Scripture tells us
that this will not happen until the MILLENNIUM. In the meantime, we are all Blue
Lodge Masons and can practice these regardless of our Faith or political
persuasions or where we live. So Mote it Be.
16
When you were 7 or 8 years old did you NOT get a
Valentines Day card at school? What an awful experience for a child who, for
whatever reason, did not receive one. I remember a first / second grade Teacher
who made sure every child received a card. This would result in those happy
smiles giggles, grins and big warm hugs which tell the rest of the story. We may
not be 7 or 8 years old any longer, but as Seniors we still long for the card, phone
call, or visit. It doesn't have to be a relative or close friend. A Brother will do . I
like that phrase. So Brothers, lets not have our sick or shut in Brothers wanting
for a Valentine s Day card , phone call or visit. Let's take care of it as brothers.
So Mote it Be.
When we became Masons we took an oath that we
would fly to the Relief of a worthy distressed Brother Mason. Do we do this in
reality ? During my recent illness, heart, stents, minor stroke and pneumonia an
example of this relief came forth. It was a Brother and his wife who recognized
that I was ill and that my wife was literally busy driving me to Doctor's offices and
hospitals. They recognized that we were in need of help. What is astounding is
that the door bell rang one day and they were bringing cooked, hot food for two
meals. This really shook me as I had not been aware of this kind of thing
happening in today's society. Well, I am here to tell you that it does still exist.
They have cooked and delivered hot meals to my front door at least ten times
during my illness. Well prepared, tasty, nutritious meals. We thank God for this
couple and their willingness to "Fly to the relief of a Brother" . Along with the
many cards, phone calls and e-mails. God's Angels are still at work. So Mote it
be.
We have heard the old expression "use it or loose it".We
all have experienced things in our lives that we once did but can no longer do. All
of the facets of Masonry and its Associated Bodies are like that. The more you
study and work in the quarry , the more proficient you become and the more
enjoyable our Masonic Journey can be. We have many Brothers who remain
Brothers only by paying their dues. What a loss. They really are not traveling that
exciting Masonic Journey they could be. There is nothing sacred about Masonic
Rituals, and they may seem foolish until one has labored enough to become a
Craftsman, continuing to learn, work and grow in our respective places within
the Craft. It is a very beautiful, wholesome and fulfilling, Journey if you just don't
get mired in a rut, quit laboring or just get tired. The road may seem rough and
bumpy but think of the Adventure beyond the next curve. See you in the Quarry.
So Mote it Be
17
We don't have to tell how we live each day. We don't
have to say if we work or play. A tried and true barometer serves in its place.
However we live, it shows on our face. The faults and deceits that we bear in our
heart, will not stay inside where they first got their start, For skin and bones are
a thin veil of lace, what you wear in your heart, Will also show on your face. If
your life is unselfish, if for others you live,You live not for what you get, but for
what you give. If you walk close to God in his merciful Grace, You don't have to
tell it , It shows on your face. What's showing on your face? So Mote it Be
June is the month in which we celebrate Father's Day .
To better understand the term "Father," lets search the scriptures and see what
the word really means. The Holy Writings gives the definition of "Father" as a
"Male Parent,", a natural progenitor. The Apostle Paul admonishes all children to
obey their Father, He tells us to nurture our children, provide for our children
and wives and to discipline our children, There is no family without the Father. In
other words, the Father is to be the head of the family. Some examples of devout
fathers are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Job. God in his words speaks of
Abraham as the Father of Israel and Jacob as Father of the tent dwellers. The
Fatherhood of God is of all men, It is of Israel, it is of Gentiles, and it is of the
Redeemed. Whereas the Fatherhood of the wicked is described as Satan. Know
who your Father is. So Mote it Be.
The Psalmist David wrote great poetry. The 23rd Psalm
is a true example of his message that God has provided all. He starts by
declaring that the Lord is his Shepard and that he will not want for anything. Nor
is it a play on words, but Faith as it should be. David states that he lies down in
green pastures. What a place to relax. He leads David and us by still waters .
Think of that tranquil setting. He restores David's soul, as he does ours, and
leads David and us in the paths of Righteousness. What a way to go. Even though
we walk, as David did, in the way of the world, we are to fear not for he is with us
. His rod and staff comfort us. He provides all our necessities of life, even in the
presence of those who would lead us astray. He continually anoints us with his
blessings. Our cup surely runs over. Goodness and mercy will follow Us all the
days of our earthly lives and we and David will spend eternity with the Father, in
his house in Heaven, So Mote it Be
18
In Masonry we are taught that no man should enter
upon any great or important undertaking without first invoking the blessings of
God. This is no different than in times of old when David's exploits of success
and failure were described in the Scriptures. The Scriptures carefully record
that as long as David inquired of God prior to an engagement he would be
successful. But you will note that the time he did not seek God's favor, but
"Looked Within" to his own strength, he lost the battle and all that he owned,
even his wife and children. How often are we like David, when we "Look Within"
to our own strength? All we really need to do is call upon Him and he will
answer. So Mote it Be
The article presented below is not of my origin but of an unknown Author
Duty of an Entered Apprentice
To seek out God who makes us men, and love which makes us brothers; To build
our lives on simple Faith and the eternal right of others; To treat all justly by the
square and walk upon the level; To heed all calls for help and aid and worship
God, not the Devil; To be a builder and a brother and a man who has his Trust; To
serve just one, the Master Builder, in whom we place our Trust.
Aim of a Fellowcraft
To seek the culture of the mind, without which man is child; To help us find out
what we are in Masonic Manner mild; To learn to subdue our greatest passions
and forge them in power; To climb the winding stairs of knowledge, to the wilder
outlooks, bower; To make us friends and students of the arts and sciences; To
help us live a better life with no bad consequences; To shape rough ashlar of our
youth to manhood's perfect ashlar; To make us fellows of the craft, in life forever
after.
Glory of a Master Mason
To receive the spiritual faith and wisdom which triumphs o'er age and end; To
show us which road we should take. Regardless of the trend; To know we'll
never hear the words,but we'll find it in our heart; Our God is here - eternity now;
we'll never have to part; To say such words is just one thing - but to know their
truth is another; To find God and in ourselves a light which death cannot
smother.
Author unknown: So Mote it Be
19
November is a time of Harvest, Reflection and
Thanksgiving. As Masons we all said we believe in a life hereafter. For that we
can be thankful that it is something we don't have to earn and can't buy. It is
already paid for. So many cliches abound. . Let's review a few. America is "The
Land of the Free," but boy, gaining and keeping that freedom has not been free.
How many countless men and women have died for it. "America is the "Land of
Plenty". We are known as the "Bread Basket of the World."Last year over 50%
of the monies donated world wide for relief came from the United States of
America. In America, every man who wants to work is working. Work is available
if we only seek it. Some times we have to adjust our goals in life. But the name of
the game is to keep body and soul together. Maybe the top job offer is not up to
our standard, but if the cupboard is bare, that job offer is better than hunger or
welfare. A half a loaf is better than none. Yes, we Americans, We Californians,
We Scottish Rite Masons, can all find plenty to be thankful for, and above all the
freedom of Worship. Happy Thanksgiving. So Mote it Be
There was a lot of activity in the Scottish Rite Valley of
San Diego last month. We now have 6 new 33rd degree Masons and 14 new
KCCH's, plus a whole fall class of new Scottish Rite Masons. The time is ripe to
share with these new "Men of Vision,", all the good things we have learned and
experienced in our Masonic Journey to date. It is time to extend our hand and
shake the hand of one of these new "Men of Vision," introduce yourself, get
acquainted, invite him and his party to join you at your table for dinner.
Remember, nothing is more cold or rude than to ignore some one who is new.
San Diego Valley is friendly, lets spread this joy. So Mote it Be
Regardless of our Faith December is a time of giving
and sharing. Look around you Do you see someone in need ? If so, share
something with that person. It may be food, clothing, shelter or just a friendly
face to converse with .A few minutes of your time may be the most desired thing
a person might need. Remember the three principle tenents of Masonry,
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. These are the foundation of Masonry. Come to
think of it, I know of no Religious Doctrine where these Tenents are not
cherished and practiced. Any belief that does not encompass these Tenents
would not be a Religion but a dogma for the occult. So, lets put forth a special
effort to exhibit the correct Tenents during the joyous holiday season. So Mote it Be
20
July is the month in which our nation celebrates
Independence, Freedom, Wealth, Privilege, and on into infinity. Lets talk about
Independence. This means we have the privilege to do, live, love, and work as a
free man . To think the thoughts, sing the melodies, live wherever and at
whatever level of the society chain we desire. To love or not to love whom ever
we choose and whatever we may fancy. To sing the melodies of modern days or
the hymns of days gone by, or just listen to others, or contemplate in blissful
silence. We are privileged to live as we choose from contemporary dwellings to
beach dwellings, from the poor to whatever level of comfort you desire. To work
at a profession or craft of your choice, change as often as we care to . All of
these things are possible because of a loving GOD. All things are possible with
Him. So Mote it Be
September is a time for "back to school." The "Dog
Days" of August are gone, but don't forget the Spring Class of new Scottish Rite
Masons. They have just completed an advanced education course in Masonry
called Scottish Rite. You and I are the Counselors, Teachers, Administrators and
Staff to this new Student Body. Their success or failure depends upon you and I ,
in how we act and react with them. Our fields of students are on a steady
decline. It is up to us to help turn that condition around. One comment of
consultation at a time with these new brothers can yield a harvest of many fold.
Help us succeed by helping our new Spring Class. So Mote it Be
January represents a new beginning. Yesterday is no
more, and tomorrow has not yet arrived. We, as Masons, have the privilege of
living our lives so as to be living examples, especially for those new to the Craft.
Those of us who are " long in the tooth" should now pounce on the opportunity to
talk with these younger craftsmen and share our Trials, Tribulations, and our
Triumphs with those less traveled. We need to be encouraging , building esteem,
and progressing in the Craft as opposed to telling stories for conversation-
entertainment only.Above all, we profess Brotherly Love - lets share it . We are
capable of Relief - lets share our wealth with those less fortunate .We all share
the Truth so there is never any excuse to lie. January as a Mason, what an
opportunity. So Mote it Be
21
Memorial Day has just passed and our Lodges are honoring a WW II
Veteran by sending him to Washington D.C. to view the WW II Monument. We owe
a debt of gratitude to all Military Veterans of all wars, including Vietnam, who
have fought, died and made our rights and privileges worthwhile. While we are
currently honoring WW II Veterans, we should also honor our Vietnam War
Veterans and thank them for their sacrifices. It does not matter if we agreed with
that war or not. The Veterans of that war did what they had to do. It is time we
made amends to all Vietnam Veterans. Welcome Home and thanks for a job well
done. So Mote it Be.
March is a time of new beginnings. Farmers begin to
prepare the soil for planting, birds build nest for laying eggs, flowers bloom,
spring arrives, soft rain falls, a young man's fancy turns to love and young ladies
become giddy and talk of daffodils and honeysuckle. All these are great,
fantastic moments and periods of time. Only one thing must be present to cause
all these things to happen and this is Faith in our Creator. One can not say
enough about that Faith. But I am reminded of a scripture that tells us of Moses
and the whole nation of Israel in exile marching down to the shore line of the Red
Sea. Moses had Faith. He listened to GOD, raised his arm, and the waters of of
the Sea parted. The Israelites had Faith and walked across on dry land. The
waters stayed parted until all the Israelites were safe across while the Egyptians
followed in close pursuit until the waters of the Red Sea were no longer
restrained and all the Egyptians perished. It is that type of Faith of things not
seen that will cause us as Masons and our Valley to step out where the waters
are parted so we may crossover on dry land and do the things necessary to
promote the Craft and improve our lives as well. Have Faith . So Mote it Be.
Masonry is a body of men set apart from other
organizations by beliefs, by-laws, and a dedication to the betterment of Mankind.
To be identified with the proper group has always had its benefits. When Israel
was captive in Egypt, God spoke to Moses and Aaron and told them to prepare
the Israelites for a long night, when the "Destroyer" would pass through the land
and kill all the first born males. They were told to take the blood of a lamb and
paint the Mantels of their houses and the "destroyer" would pass over the house.
They did and he did. It pays to be identified with the right group. So Mote it Be.
22
Ah, February; Valentines Day, leap year, a day to honor
our ladies and widows. February gives us all the opportunity we need to plan and
to honor our ladies and widows. This year we are blessed by having a 29th day in
February, one more day to pay tribute to the lady of your life. She may be your
wife, mother, sister, or just a friend, but we should protect honor and love her as
we said we would when we took our obligation, Our mothers bore us and our
wives love and tolerate us. Let's show them our appreciation. Take them out to
dine, dress up, give her flowers, and a small gift. But most of all, Love her as the
only one in your life. As the scriptures say, "Love one another." So Mote it Be
March is usually a time of stormy spring rains, thunder ,
lightning, and wind. Regardless of the weather, be it mild, strong winds, stormy
or calm, we all are God's Creation in a world he has created and we are created
for his pleasure. So Long as we remember who the Creator is and who the
created are, in other words, just remember that GOD is in charge, and we are
privileged to be his children. So Mote it Be
In America we are free to choose to live as we please.
We can worship in the Faith of our choice, or not worship at all. We are in the
midst of religious holidays. Easter and Hanukkah have just passed and Pass
Over is approaching. We as Masons have all swore that we believe in God. While
kneeling at the Altar we also said we would practice the three great tenents of
Masonry: Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. To me, this means that whatever
Faith we have in God, we must always be true and honest to our brethren.
Worship as you see fit, but worship. Encourage all Masons to worship. This will
draw us closer in Brotherly Love and possibly cause us to participate in the
Relief of a brother. All of this enables each brother along his Masonic Journey in
life. So Mote it Be
23
May is the month that we give thanks to and remember
our Veterans. Originally, we had no holiday to recognize our Veterans . But after
WW I, we adopted May 30th as Decoration Day. That was a day friends and loved
ones used to place flowers on the graves of Veterans who had passed. Originally
set up for WW I Veterans, but soon it was applied to graves of all Veterans up to
that time. After all, WW I was supposed to be the "war to end all wars." Then WW
II came along and that was the "Big One". After WW II the date was changed to
the last Monday in May and the name changed to Memorial Day. It now includes
all Veterans from the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, French and Indian
War, Civil War, Spanish American War, WW I, WW II, Korea, ( a police action ) ,
Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Add the Boston Tea
Party as well. There is a common thread of humanity called, "The American
Patriot." It doesn't matter if he or she is Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, National
Guard, Reserve, DEA agent, Customs Agent, or Immigration Officer. They are all
American Patriots who place their lives on the line every day so you and I can
live in relative peace and tranquil freedom, in a home of our choosing . These
men and women, these patriots, would rather fight and die than live in
submission to a totalitarian dictator or any other form of government where our
freedom, independence and liberties are compromised. So Today when you
pray, whatever your Faith is, thank your God for that Service man or woman who
is at this moment protecting you. So Mote it Be
Great men are those who recognize their own
vulnerability and call upon God for wisdom and guidance. King David turned to
God prayed and was always successful in his exploits except once he looked
within himself, did not pray, and was sorely defeated. On June 6, 1944, The
greatest armada ever assembled on the face of the earth was poised and ready
to leave the ports of England and Scotland for the Allied-Invasion of Europe. On
that morning, as the ships and planes left the safety of England for the unknown
perils of war, General Dwight D. Eisenhower stood on the coast looking out
across the sea toward France. Recognizing that the burden of responsibility was
great, he fell to his knees, and ask God to guide him in his actions. We are living
proof that,his prayers were answered. On a day in January 1953, This same
general was sworn in as President of the United States. Eventually arriving in the
Oval Office and again realizing his own fallibility, he again fell to his knees and
prayed to God for guidance. We may not be faced with directing an armed
invasion or the task of running the country, but the every day choices and
decisions with which we are faced are just as important to God as those were of
Eisenhower or King David. We have access to God and can call upon him just as
they did. God is our source. Try prayer it works. So Mote it Be
24
July is Independence month. A time to celebrate all the
victories of the past and to look forward to more battles to be won. We can
reflect back to all the battles of the Military,Back to 1776, and try to imagine the
hardships and courage experienced at that time as well as those recent conflicts
like WW I, WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraq-Afghanistan. As long as
we are looking at history, lets go back to 1492 and consider all the issues facing
the Pilgrims in making a decision to be independent and seek a better life. Now
lets get down to the nitty gritty and bo back to 32 A.D. when a man from Galilee
began to teach a group of men to "follow me and I will make you fishers of men,"
independent of Roman Rule and a belief in their own God. Yes, our independence
was born not July 4, 1776 at Concord but 2000 years ago around the Sea of
Galilee. So Mote it Be
Even though this article is for August, it is being penned
in the wee hours of July 4th 2008. I want to share with you some of the thoughts I
have had so far today. We are taught in Blue Lodge Masonry that "God created
the Heaven and the Earth" and everything living upon it. In all Creation all of the
creatures have a heart and a body. Humans have a heart, a body and a soul. This
spirit, given to us by our Creator, is what makes humans higher, above all the
animals and fishes and other living things. Only the human has a Spirit, a Creator
given spirit. The world we live in is full of all kinds of spirits used buy forces other
than our Creator. These spirits cause us to look within ourselves and see our
accomplishments, pride and self esteem. An Example: On a hill called Golgotha,
a man was being crucified, Roman style, and in his human spirit he cried out, "if
there be any other way, let this cup pass from me."Then in his Creator given
Spirit he said "if it be thy will, let it be done, and it is finished." So today, I look
forward to my children, their mates, grandchildren and their dates, arriving this
afternoon for a cook out. This is one of the benefits of our Creator given Spirit,
that we are privileged to live in a country where we are free to live, move about,
worship, gather as a family and enjoy the fruits of this Creator given Spirit, not
just our possessions or status, titles and other "stuff". Just relish in God's mercy,
Grace and Provisions. Happy 4th of July So Mote it Be
25
A man's word is his bond, his commitment to another person,
group, community, nation or world. In days long ago, scripture tells us that when
a man agreed to do something he pulled off his sandal and gave it to the other
person as a sign of his "bond." As years have gone by this "bond" has evolved to
a handshake which signified agreement on a matter. In essence, this handshake
became a "bond" between the parties. Things have drastically deteriorated to
the point where legal staffs are necessary to draw up a legal document signed
by all parties, which is really just a "bond" or one's word that he agrees on a
point. These agreements are what we said at the altar: "We would fly to the relief
of a Brother," whether it is giving of a sandal, a handshake, a promise , or a
multi-page legal document called a contract, it is all the same. We said we would
do something. Thats our commitment, our word, our agreement, our bond.
Whether it is one to one as individuals, group to group, or nation to nation. When
our President says "we will stay the course." he is making a commitment for
America, yours and mine, that we will support those efforts. It is no different than
a man of old pulling off his sandal and giving it to another, or a twenty volume
legal contract. It is our "bond" and we don't have to ask what the definition of
"is". So Mote it Be
In October we Scottish Rite Masons recognize and pay
tribute to our Armed Forces. Such an Honor. I was thoroughly impressed as I
listened to a young Marine tell of his days in boot camp. He told of being dog
tired from all the activity, of having a tooth pulled, and a lot of other dental work
done along with acquiring the "Pink Eye" in both eyes while firing on the rifle
range. Incidently, he qualified as Marksman. By the way, he also had pneumonia
during this time. During all this, his first time away from home, his faith in God
was his source of strength. His love of family and church were there with him in
prayer. With what little free time he had, he found time to witness to and council
fellow recruits, leading him to make that all important decision in his life. Upon
graduation he was one of four of a platoon of eighty men to receive top honors
and be promoted to Private First Class, not just Private. It' s men like this young
Marine, a fourth generation Marine , standing erect and lean in his dress blues,
who have answered the clarion call to arms from Valley Forge to Iraq. Sure, the
thought of travel, adventure and seeing the world, and all the other cliches are
applicable, but in their hearts they answer the call to arms, to go into harms way,
leaving families, children and friends behind to preserve and defend a way of life
for God and Country, for family and for you and I . God Bless you all. So Mote it
Be
26
Tuesday November 4th is election day, in America,
essentially the entire world. Because the decisions you make on that day will
definitely be heard around the world. Don't think for a minute that one vote
doesn't matter, or yours, trust me it matters. The entire world is paused waiting
for all of us to perform a simple task, cast a ballot. Such a small, almost effortless
task; mark a piece of paper, color a space, punch a hole or whatever method of
indicating your choice is used in your Polling Place, do it and do it with
conviction, no smeared pen or pencil marks , no nicked or torn paper and no
hanging chads. We Americans are known for our patriotism. After all the rest of
the world is watching. Pray and vote your conscience, but vote. God bless this
election. We pray that our nation will continue to be the beacon of safety and
refuge for freedom from all the recesses of life. So Mote it Be.
We have much to be thankful for. Our nation has just
exercised it's most precious right , electing a Leaded. This happened on a day, it
seems like an eternity ago, without civil turmoil or rebellion of the troops. It
happened as a Democracy functions and has created this great Republic of
ours. Yes, I said ours. This Democracy and the Republic it created is ours.
Created by us, For us and Maintained by us. This alone, with the Holiday season
leads us to wonder at the marvels our Father in Heaven has created and placed
us in the midst of. We truly are a blessed nation. After all, we were created for
his pleasure and so shall it ever be, So Mote it Be
The new year is upon us. Those of us who will be
installed again soon are given another opportunity to serve our brothers, our
community and our nation. When we said we would serve, it was a commitment
of time, effort and yes, some work. We do not make this commitment lightly. For
we sometimes find we must set aside more pleasurable things to fulfill our
Commitment. But that is what makes us Masons, what we are all about. Our
word, our commitment, is our bond . Happy new Year, So Mote it Be
27
February is still mid-winter, but we know it is followed
by March and Spring. This month is also known as President's Month, when we
celebrate the birthdays of two of our most famous Presidents, George
Washington and Abraham Lincoln. We can pay honor to all our presidents every
month of every year for a job well done since 1776. February is also known as
Lover's month because of Valentines Day. So be especially nice to the "Love of
your Life," help a little bit around the house by cooking, cleaning, caring for the
kids, etc. Put on a happy face, be courteous and always a gentleman. See what a
difference it can make in your home-life. Happy Valentines Day. So Mote it Be
March is a time of year full of activities; daylight savings
time, St. Patricks Day, and the beginning if spring. Ah, time for the early spring
and soft showers is now upon us . Life cycles on the farm begin again as seeds
germinate and new crops, foliage, and trees bring forth a new color, fragrance
and an abundance of good things to eat. March-Spring is likened to Creation .
After all, God created the Heavens and the Earth and all things which were
Created, were Created by Him. Take the topic of man, food, science, etc, from
the dawn of time to now, and visualize the changes that our Creator has brought.
In our lifetimes we have seen medicine evolve from archaic to the modern uses
of healing medicines and surgeries , heart, liver, kidney and eye transplants. As
Mankind has evolved in his capacity to learn, he is given more knowledge by our
Creator. What a blessing this springtime of Creation is .So Mote it Be
We as Scottish Rite Masons should be thankful that we
live in a country where Masonry can be openly practiced, enjoyed and lived.
Even more thankful that we live in San Diego County where Scottish Rite
Masonry blossoms and is the Masonic Beacon for all the county and even the
state. This is accomplished only one way - by true cooperation of all the affiliated
bodies . Then exemplified by the core of Scottish Rite Officers in the Valley of
San Diego, Orient of California. May God continue to bless and anoint the works
of the Valley. We as individual Blue Lodge Masons will be blessed as we help
Scottish Rite in our labors. So Mote it Be
28
My brothers, Freemasonry is a fraternity of seekers who
know that by reaching as far into Heaven as they dare, they can bring a bit of it
down to earth for all mankind. Freemasonry speaks not of profit and power, but
of Virtue, Dignity and Character, the very qualities that put the great into
greatness of a nation, its people and its values. We Freemasons endeavor to see
with piercing clarity the truth in living from birth to death, to grasp the most
fundamental aspects of what is truly important in Life. We find that it is
selflessness and dedication to goodness in ourselves and to others, that the
greatest gift that we can give is by the example of our own living, by which we
magnify our existence and of those all around us . And for that reason my
brothers, we are Masons, who maintain the three great tennents of Masonry ,
brotherly love, relief and truth. So Mote it Be
This article is intended to observe Memorial Day , just
passed and Flag Day coming in June. We are reminded of when we knelt at the
altar, we pledged not to let certain bad things happen to some people if within
our power to prevent it. This is so like our Military men and women, from
Concord to Bagdad and all the battles in between, when American men and
women have fought and died that other men might be free. The only
compensation our nation has ever asked for is enough land to burry our dead.
Those fields of Honor, around the world are identified by rows of Pearly White
crosses and a flag flown at half mast. This is a signal to all humanity that Liberty
is very costly, but is still available so long as men and women are willing to put
on a uniform and stand up for the Liberties of others. Since the Revolutionary
War our men and women have not died in vain, as long ago at Golgotha He did
not die in vain. So Mote it Be
Early in our Masonic Journey we are taught to seek
divine guidance and to pray before undertaking any important task. We Masons
refer to the Bible as "Holy Writings." Well, the Bible tells us to pray without
ceasing. Just stop, think and let that become part of your every day thought
process. You don't have to speak an audible prayer but you can think a prayer in
your mind, which is your spiritual heart, Our personal problems as well as
Corporate/National problems can be helped if we keep a prayer in our hearts
constantly. So Mote it Be.
29
Time does truly march on and waits for no man. The
first day of autumn is upon us and we can remember all the long hot days of
summer. Did we get all the things accomplished that we planned or did some
other task occupy our thoughts and time? Usually, if that happens, it is the evil
one at work. Time spent is like the spoken word, when it is done, we can't
retrieve, alter or improve upon it. So, let our words to each other be in Brotherly
Love, never in haste, and our time spent will not have been in vain. So Mote it Be
I am reminded of David the Psalmist as he wrote, "My
soul longeth for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a house and a nest
for her to raise her young. Blessed are they that dwell in the house of the Lord.
When we pass through the Valley of Baca, he will make a well and fill the pools.
We will go from strength to strength. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the House
of God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. You are my shield, you give me
Grace and Glory. No good thing will you withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of Host we are blessed when we Trust in Thee." So Mote it Be
November is a very special month. It is the month in
which I was born - Nov. 30. It is a special day . Others born on this day are
Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin and Hideki Tojo. November also has election
day, the end of daylight savings, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day. I wish to
address the last two. November 11 is designated as Veterans day however, the
original designation was Armistice Day, because it was the day WW I ended in
1918. After WW II came along and all wars since then it has been changed to
"Veterans Day" to memorialize all US Veterans of all wars this nation has ever
been involved in. The latter of these two days, Thanksgiving Day , is the oldest of
all these Holidays and was started by the Pilgrims who celebrated the good
harvest by sharing food and giving thanks with friends and Indians. Thanksgiving
Day has changed much but still is relatively the same. We pause to share food
and give thanks for the good things God has bestowed upon us; life, health,
family, home, religion and freedom. My vocabulary can not describe "FREEDOM"
adequately. Our Freedom is full, complete, and paid for at CALVARY and kept
available to us by the men and women who wear the uniform of our Armed
Forces. Happy Thanksgiving Day . So Mote it Be
30
This is the time for reflection and Thanksgiving. We can
all reflect on times long ago when we were tired, hungry, sad, lonely, cold and
alone. Just look around yourself today. If you are tired, Hungry, sad, cold or
alone then you are not taking advantage of our freedoms. We can live in
Southern California, rather than the cold wet Northeast. We can worship as we
please or not worship at all. We can live close to relatives and friends or not. And
we are free to be Masons or not to be. Two great events in times past made these
possible. The first was many ages ago on a hill called Golgotha where a man
who had been born in a manger, gave his life for us. Yes, you and me. The other
started at Concord in 1776, when the American Revolution started and that
battle by our Military and every battle since then by our Military has guaranteed
that these rights from Golgotha and Concord have not diminished. Have a Very
Merry Christmas. So Mote it Be.
For some of us our Masonic Journey started many years
ago. For others, it is a new adventure. For all of us, It is a most unforgettable
journey. To take that first Masonic step one must believe in God. That alone sets
us apart from the rest of the world. We are taught very early in our journey that
before undertaking any great or important task we should pray . When we take a
Masonic oath our hands are placed upon the Bible. We tell the whole world that
we practice Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, When an outsider compares our
rules to those of other clubs / organizations, he finds that he must believe in God,
Pray, take an oath on the Bible and practice Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
They may wonder if they qualify to join us. When I read these today, if I were not
already a Mason, I would be searching for the nearest Lodge to file a petition. We
need to tell the whole world of our rules and get ready for the influx of new
applicants. We don't need to hide it under a bushel any longer. Let the world
know who we are and what we stand for,. So Mote it Be.
February is the month that we think about our
sweethearts, the women we love like no other, and Presidents whom we honor.
As for the ladies, we all took an oath to protect the chastity of a Brother Mason's
Wife, mother, daughter or sister, That is one reason why when we gather as
Masons everyone has a good time. Why? Because we know that our wives,
mothers, sisters and daughters are among Brother Masons and all can be
trusted with their chastity, That makes for a joyous good time . During
President's month we honor namely, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln ,
because they were born in February and were Presidents of great renown.
There are many more Presidents worthy of recognition. One of our primary task
as Masons is to pray for the success of the President, whoever he is. To pray that
he will lead the nation and direct our Military in a manner pleasing unto "Him." So
Mote it Be
