Signs and Peace
Masonic Education
“Signs & Peace”
Delivered at Iligan Lodge No. 207 stated meeting
last October 18, 2008.
By: VW Warlito M. Sanguila
The topic suggested by the GLP for this month was on signs and peace. I have to mention this or else, VW Anong Alagao will complain. I don’t exactly know whether they wanted us to relate the signs in our search for peace or peace as exemplified by the signs and symbols. As everybody feel, since the 1970’s some of the young Masons are not born yet, peace has been the quest of everybody, but very elusive. Although I would like to believe that to understand the peace in Masonic parlance we have start within ourselves. I refuse to deal with that topic this time for it will take most of the time to do it.
A discussion on the meanings whether operative or speculative of signs and symbols its exemplification to our daily activities started in the formal establishments of speculative Masonry in 1717 with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. I listen t countless lectures, read them every month about signs and symbols, beginning October 1, 1976, when I was initiated in this Lodge up0 to the present for period of more than 30 years. Most of these signs and symbols would refer to the improvement of personal development of Masons, how to use them asked me one question that caught me: What Masonry have done to my life and its influence with my works?
I have never meet any Mason in this jurisdiction who asked me that sort of question for it seem to summed up what you learn from Masonry and probably that question should be asked to all of us in Iligan Lodge 207.
Is it the feelings of being part to an elite organization of supposedly upright men satisfied my being a Mason?
Is it with proficiency of our rituals and lecture with the admiration of the brethren makes us happy, although this proficiency is sometimes if not most of the time associated with memorizing our lectures and rituals, delivering them fluently like parrots without internalizing them?
When Masonry presented to us the Holy Book of our faith as a rule and guide, have we become good Christians, a good Muslims or a good Buddist?
When Masonry gave us the square and the compasses, have we learned to circumscribe our desire to achieve what we wish to be. Plans have been made by lodges, some dreams to be at the top armed with these signs (I met some of these dreamers), but all the notions of improving ourselves from the exemplification of these signs and symbols must start within ourselves. And that is where the battle should begin.
In 1999, I was fortunate to be requested by the South Pacific Fisheries Forum as a member of a ten man committee of the Pacific Consortium to establish policies of acceptability of seafood processed product from the Pacific area to the world market, especially Europe. This brought me to the world market, especially Europe. This brought me to visit Christchurch in the south island of NZ. I was requested to look into the Salmon industry. I stayed in a motel, which I eventually learned to be owned by a Mason, who I met. I learned eventually that he was a PM of his lodge. We spent time of discussing Masonry when time warrant, especially when we realized that we were both listed member of the United Grand Lodge of England. I visited his home, met his family, once have dinner with the family. Our discussion on Masonry went back to 1717, esoteric and what I call exoteric masonry, rituals, signs and symbols. One evening before my departure from the area, he told me that my mother lodge must be a very strong lodge, with members knowledgeable of their masonry.
As we progress from being EAM to MM, we were presented various working tools which we have to master in an ideal setting to direct us or have it become just symbols for Masonic lecture of abstraction of thoughts?
How far the three tenets our institution and the four cardinal virtues change our perceptions as we look at our brethren, our friends or mankind in general?
Have you my brethren expounded on these lessons to help in the search for a peaceful and harmonious society as Mason, we have been taught to bring lights to many people, uplift their sufferings. But have you my brethren made changes or yourself? Have you asked yourself the biases and prejudice hidden in your heart or are you still one of the three ruffians?
Let me share to you a story about a young Mason who acquired a habit of praying before going to sleep to the GAOTU for the blessings he had given and asked God to grant him what he needed to do what was required of by duty and by the good of his fellow, country and mankind. One night he ended his prayer with a query LORD WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU. HE hears GOD saying BUILD A BETTER WORLD. The young man said LORD, How could I do it, the world is such a large complicated place, so divided, so materialistic that I CAN’T DO ANYTHING FOR ITS BETTERMENT. The GAOTU in his wisdom simply told him JUST BUILD A BETTER YOU.
My Brethren Masonry bound us by duty to improve and strengthen our character that through us that of the society in which we live. By its teaching and precepts endeavour to find light that will direct our steps in life.
We all received them that light with different degree. Others only two (2) watts and others ten (10) watts and all lessons based on our mental capacity to perceive and understand. But no Masons will see the lights until the light of his mind and soul illumines it. The inner light of Masons is that creative and regenerative power that dispels darkness of ignorance, prejudices, errors, sin and even death.
Our enemies are within ourselves. Our enemies we figure on a battle where there is no ceasefire, no peace talks probably a battle that will never end in our lifetime. It is a battle against the enemies within us. These enemies hide in our heart and minds. Some says that it is really difficult to liberate people from poverty, oppression and injustices, but it is more difficult to liberate ourselves, our hearts and mind. This is a battle we continuously fight with square of morality, level of equality and the plumb of rectitude. Our enemies are situated within our heart ego, greed, intolerance, hypocrisies, lust and ignorance. These enemies are difficult to defeat because many of us set up a number of screen and built-in filtration in our minds.
With the difficulties we are facing now. We should strengthen our conviction, a Masonic conviction that could not be change by the corruption of comfort. We should cling to this Masonic conviction because it is given by the GAOTU. With this conviction we fight intolerance, ignorance and vices with it strengthen and enlighten our minds and heart that we may be able to enlighten the minds of our friends and foes.
Al all of us continue to wear this apron we are continuously reminded the purity or our intention our life and action. It is a badge of honor and with it we go to battle to free ourselves from the enemy within. We should never disgrace it for it will never disgrace us, as have been told Masonry never fail us, it is us that fail Masonry.
Salamat po at Mabuhay ang Masons!
“Signs & Peace”
Delivered at Iligan Lodge No. 207 stated meeting
last October 18, 2008.
By: VW Warlito M. Sanguila
The topic suggested by the GLP for this month was on signs and peace. I have to mention this or else, VW Anong Alagao will complain. I don’t exactly know whether they wanted us to relate the signs in our search for peace or peace as exemplified by the signs and symbols. As everybody feel, since the 1970’s some of the young Masons are not born yet, peace has been the quest of everybody, but very elusive. Although I would like to believe that to understand the peace in Masonic parlance we have start within ourselves. I refuse to deal with that topic this time for it will take most of the time to do it.
A discussion on the meanings whether operative or speculative of signs and symbols its exemplification to our daily activities started in the formal establishments of speculative Masonry in 1717 with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. I listen t countless lectures, read them every month about signs and symbols, beginning October 1, 1976, when I was initiated in this Lodge up0 to the present for period of more than 30 years. Most of these signs and symbols would refer to the improvement of personal development of Masons, how to use them asked me one question that caught me: What Masonry have done to my life and its influence with my works?
I have never meet any Mason in this jurisdiction who asked me that sort of question for it seem to summed up what you learn from Masonry and probably that question should be asked to all of us in Iligan Lodge 207.
Is it the feelings of being part to an elite organization of supposedly upright men satisfied my being a Mason?
Is it with proficiency of our rituals and lecture with the admiration of the brethren makes us happy, although this proficiency is sometimes if not most of the time associated with memorizing our lectures and rituals, delivering them fluently like parrots without internalizing them?
When Masonry presented to us the Holy Book of our faith as a rule and guide, have we become good Christians, a good Muslims or a good Buddist?
When Masonry gave us the square and the compasses, have we learned to circumscribe our desire to achieve what we wish to be. Plans have been made by lodges, some dreams to be at the top armed with these signs (I met some of these dreamers), but all the notions of improving ourselves from the exemplification of these signs and symbols must start within ourselves. And that is where the battle should begin.
In 1999, I was fortunate to be requested by the South Pacific Fisheries Forum as a member of a ten man committee of the Pacific Consortium to establish policies of acceptability of seafood processed product from the Pacific area to the world market, especially Europe. This brought me to the world market, especially Europe. This brought me to visit Christchurch in the south island of NZ. I was requested to look into the Salmon industry. I stayed in a motel, which I eventually learned to be owned by a Mason, who I met. I learned eventually that he was a PM of his lodge. We spent time of discussing Masonry when time warrant, especially when we realized that we were both listed member of the United Grand Lodge of England. I visited his home, met his family, once have dinner with the family. Our discussion on Masonry went back to 1717, esoteric and what I call exoteric masonry, rituals, signs and symbols. One evening before my departure from the area, he told me that my mother lodge must be a very strong lodge, with members knowledgeable of their masonry.
As we progress from being EAM to MM, we were presented various working tools which we have to master in an ideal setting to direct us or have it become just symbols for Masonic lecture of abstraction of thoughts?
How far the three tenets our institution and the four cardinal virtues change our perceptions as we look at our brethren, our friends or mankind in general?
Have you my brethren expounded on these lessons to help in the search for a peaceful and harmonious society as Mason, we have been taught to bring lights to many people, uplift their sufferings. But have you my brethren made changes or yourself? Have you asked yourself the biases and prejudice hidden in your heart or are you still one of the three ruffians?
Let me share to you a story about a young Mason who acquired a habit of praying before going to sleep to the GAOTU for the blessings he had given and asked God to grant him what he needed to do what was required of by duty and by the good of his fellow, country and mankind. One night he ended his prayer with a query LORD WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU. HE hears GOD saying BUILD A BETTER WORLD. The young man said LORD, How could I do it, the world is such a large complicated place, so divided, so materialistic that I CAN’T DO ANYTHING FOR ITS BETTERMENT. The GAOTU in his wisdom simply told him JUST BUILD A BETTER YOU.
My Brethren Masonry bound us by duty to improve and strengthen our character that through us that of the society in which we live. By its teaching and precepts endeavour to find light that will direct our steps in life.
We all received them that light with different degree. Others only two (2) watts and others ten (10) watts and all lessons based on our mental capacity to perceive and understand. But no Masons will see the lights until the light of his mind and soul illumines it. The inner light of Masons is that creative and regenerative power that dispels darkness of ignorance, prejudices, errors, sin and even death.
Our enemies are within ourselves. Our enemies we figure on a battle where there is no ceasefire, no peace talks probably a battle that will never end in our lifetime. It is a battle against the enemies within us. These enemies hide in our heart and minds. Some says that it is really difficult to liberate people from poverty, oppression and injustices, but it is more difficult to liberate ourselves, our hearts and mind. This is a battle we continuously fight with square of morality, level of equality and the plumb of rectitude. Our enemies are situated within our heart ego, greed, intolerance, hypocrisies, lust and ignorance. These enemies are difficult to defeat because many of us set up a number of screen and built-in filtration in our minds.
With the difficulties we are facing now. We should strengthen our conviction, a Masonic conviction that could not be change by the corruption of comfort. We should cling to this Masonic conviction because it is given by the GAOTU. With this conviction we fight intolerance, ignorance and vices with it strengthen and enlighten our minds and heart that we may be able to enlighten the minds of our friends and foes.
Al all of us continue to wear this apron we are continuously reminded the purity or our intention our life and action. It is a badge of honor and with it we go to battle to free ourselves from the enemy within. We should never disgrace it for it will never disgrace us, as have been told Masonry never fail us, it is us that fail Masonry.
Salamat po at Mabuhay ang Masons!
posted by DiMouli at 12:20 AM
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