Masonic Wisdom: Bridge Builder

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

WB Luciano M. Azevedo

Peter and John were childhood friends. One day they took off for a banal motive and since then they have been feeding mutual resentments. At last they were not even talking anymore. They dwelt in neighboring places, having only a brook as a boundary between their properties.

One day, a Mason came looking for work. He knocked at the door of Peter's siege and volunteered to serve him. Peter asked him to build a wall to serve as a boundary between his lands and those of his neighbor. After telling the mason his quarrel with John, he also recommended that he build a high wall.

The mason began his service while Peter left to settle other things. At dusk, on his way home, Peter had a surprise. The man had built a bridge between the two properties and not a wall as he had asked.

Annoyed at the situation, he was about to reproach the mason for having disobeyed him, when he saw his friend on the bridge coming towards him and saying: Peter! Now I see how you are a real friend, you built a bridge between our properties despite the misunderstanding we had!

Hearing this, Peter also walked towards him, giving him a strong hug.

The Mason, seeing the scene, said good-bye. Peter and John invited him to stay, to which he replied:

- Thanks, but I cannot, I have other bridges to build.

The same building material used to build a wall can be used to build a bridge. Everything is a matter of choice. The same happens in your life: the same situation can be used to unite or separate people.

What kind of Mason are you: a wall maker or a bridge builder?

~LMA

WB Luciano M. Azevedo holds an MBA and Bachelor in Business Administration. He has published several scientific and philosophical essays and articles in the secular world. As a sommelier he wrote his own column for a major wine magazine for many years. In Freemasonry Brother “Lou” has contributed with many articles from a philosophical basic approach to an ethical decision-making in regards to masonic conduct. He is the current Worshipful Master of Zurich Lodge 1089 of A.F&A.M of the State of Illinois. W. Bro Luciano is also a member or the Grand Lodge Leadership Committee of the State of Illinois, a 32 Degree active member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago and a Shrine Noble of the Medinah Shriners.