MASONRY AS I SEE IT..

MASONRY AS I SEE IT...

Since I became a mason in 1992 or some fifteen years ago, freemasonry has always fascinated me. The more I studied it, the more I am engrossed to learn about it. It has been an interesting journey ever since and the ride was such that I will treasure it for the rest of my life. There were discoveries in the course of that study that only a diligent student of the craft would certainly appreciate and it is for this reason that I can give my own perception about masonry as I see it!

Masonry presents us with a picture of goodness and excellence and virtue we have not seen nor had before. By instilling in us the truth that we are all creatures of ONE SUPREME INEFFABLE BEING, and as recipients of all the bounties encompassed in the spiritual heritage of mankind, it invites us to walk on exalted heights, with heads unbowed and hearts undaunted, free to look any man straight in the eye and supremely proud of our finite being. The acceptance of this reality of our mortal being enables us to see through the superfluities and hypocrisies, the prejudices and bigotries, the unkindness and cruelties that so often becloud the atmosphere we breathe and blur further our own judgment. So much has been spilt against masonry and it has survived the barbarous attempt to destroy it. Even Masons themselves were not spared of these human imperfections to hate and begrudge a brother under the guise of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth!

It shames the sensibilties of ordinary individuals like me to witness in my lifetime the inadequacies of our brethren to understand what masonry stands for.

Even as Masonry gives us an opportunity to have a better understanding of the mystery of human nature, and in so many ways influence our conduct to live in harmony and peace of life, still many who profess to be masons just do the opposite!

As masons and belonging to the class of thinking creations of the divine despite our imperfections, we too often err and repeat the same errors. Who is the individual that doesn't? But we have a set of values - the values that we learned in masonry will serve as our backbone to sustain us in our travels. Along the way, we may even commit a grievous offense against our fellows and brothers and even besmirch the image of the very institution we all call Freemasonry, but we come to realize soon enough, that, " although by body men is of kin to the beasts, by spirit he is of kin to God. And with that realization, we forthrightly essay to rise to the degree and dimensions of our avowed or professed character."

The ideals of freemasonry are remarkable and has a far-reaching effect on us masons if only we continue to seek and discover that which was lost!

Masonry has evolved and developed as the last bastion of harmony and unity where men with avowed and sincere purpose can sit and work together without regard to race, color or creed. Every man who enters inside its mystic circle is ready to strip himself of all ambition for greatness and personal greed and neither hatred nor prejudice exist inside its silent domain. This is the the kind of masonry as I see it in my lifetime - " For It is not a fountain giving health and beauty to some single hamlet, and slaking the thirst of those only who dwell upon its humble banks; but it is a mighty stream penetrating through every hill and mountain and gliding through every field and valley of the earth, bearing on its beneficent bosom the abundant waters of LOVE and CHARITY for the poor, the widow, and the orphan of every land."


Fraternally,
Bro. Joselito P. Tamaray
Kalilayan Lodge No. 37
Lucena City