New Year’s Resolutions For Masonic Lodges?

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bill Hosler, PM

For as long as I can remember people have looked at the beginning of a new year as a time to” Turn over a new leaf”, a chance to start anew.  Losing weight, quitting a bad habit, or trying to better themselves have always been popular resolutions on the new year. While many of these resolutions fall to the wayside by February, many people are able to make life-altering changes to themselves by sticking to their resolution and either prolong their life or give themselves a better quality of life. 

I know the thought of creating new year’s resolutions for a Masonic lodge at first blush, might seem to be a bit crazy. Under normal circumstances, the words ”lodge” and ”change” go together like ”ice cream” and ”mustard” but the events of this previous year may have possibly given us the ability to consider the possibilities. 

I’m sure each one of us was, if we were honest, we could think of some issues our lodge could resolve to change in the upcoming year. Just like a human could develop bad habits over its life or there are practices the lodge could adopt that would prolong its life. These issues could be anything from resolving to getting your membership to learn the ritual well enough to perform your own degree work instead of relying on outside degree teams to assist you or to clean and repair your building. As much as I can’t tell you what you should resolve to do for yourself in the next coming year in like manner only you and your Brethren know what your local lodge needs to resolve to work on. It might be worth a discussion. 

It won’t be easy and we all know there might be pushback among some members but it’s worth a try. If you get one thing corrected you are on your way to improving your lodge. Stay positive and don’t give up! We are in this for the long hall. Just like it may take a person several attempts to quit smoking when they finally do drop the habit it changes their life. The same thing applies to your lodge. Just keep trying. 

It may sound silly but I believe that if each lodge locally were to resolve to improve itself there would be no issues in Freemasonry. We all look to grand lodges to resolve our issues like they are some kind of lifestyle guru when actually we are the ones that hold the keys to our future. Individually we are the ones that affect change for ourselves and I feel it is the same for our lodges. Take advantage of the new year and make things happen! 

I wish you and your lodge members nothing but success and prosperity in the upcoming year.  

~BH

WB Bill Hosler was made a Master Mason in 2002 in Three Rivers Lodge #733 in Indiana. He served as Worshipful Master in 2007 and became a member of the internet committee for Indiana's Grand Lodge. Bill is currently a member of Roff Lodge No. 169 in Roff Oklahoma and Lebanon Lodge No. 837 in Frisco, Texas. Bill is also a member of the Valley of Fort Wayne Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Indiana. A typical active Freemason, Bill also served as the High Priest of Fort Wayne's Chapter of the York Rite No. 19 and was commander of the Fort Wayne Commandery No. 4 of the Knight Templar. During all this, he also served as the webmaster and magazine editor for the Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne Indiana.

Life's Gonna Cash That Check, Now

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Robert H. Johnson

Today's the day you've been dreading, or maybe it isn't. But all those promises you made about the new year? Well...life just cashed that check, so you better have the balance to cover it.

As Freemasons, we're told we should use the working tools of the Craft to better our psyche. That's literally what we do. That's what those tools tell us to do and it's how we're supposed to use them. So, why don't we?

It's hard, that's why. Thinking different to change our realities is harder than it looks. A lot harder. Nevertheless here we are, celebrating a cosmic event that is sure to happen, whether humans are here or not. This pile of rock, dirt, water and stardust is going to circle the sun, one way or another. I've seen a lot of posts over the last week, particularly on social meme-ia, err..media regarding new years resolutions. Some joking about our failures of last year and others dropping the truth, plain as day.

You didn't have to wait until the new year to start a change for the better. Hell, Erik Marks told us just last week, we get a fresh start every second we're here. But if the arbitrary cosmic marker of another year around the flaming fusion reactor is what it takes, then let's get on it.

Todd E. Creason said on a post just recently that he finished writing his resolutions for 2020. He said, "Same as last year, I just changed the date." People laughed, and I'm sure Todd laughed too. But the truth is, there's just nothing wrong with having those same resolutions.

You ever hear your coach, or your teacher say, "Yep! You got it. Now do it again, only better this time." Well, I have. Let's be Freemasons. Let's be smarter, be nicer, be more logical, more civil, and let's read more. Let's all pretend we're running for political office when we decide to post something on social media...you get my drift? Let's do one more trash clean up day, give one more dollar, do one more push up. Whatever it is, you can do it. We can do it together.

Happy New Year, everyone!

~RHJ

RWB, Robert Johnson is the Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the 2nd N.E. District of Illinois. He currently serves as the Secretary of Spes Novum Lodge No. 1183. He is a Past Master of Waukegan Lodge 78 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts weekly Podcasts (internet radio programs) Whence Came You? & Masonic Radio Theatrewhich focus on topics relating to Freemasonry. He is also a co-host of The Masonic Roundtable, a Masonic talk show. He is a husband and father of four, works full time in the executive medical industry. He is the co-author of "It's Business Time - Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry" and is currently working on a book of Masonic essays and one on Occult Anatomy to be released soon.

Virtuous Resolutions Part II

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Jason Richards

Last year, I wrote a piece entitled Virtuous Resolutions, in which I resolved to act in accordance with the fraternity’s four cardinal virtues (temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice) for the ensuing calendar year. Having found that the four cardinal virtues provided a great framework for self-betterment, I resolved to exercise temperance by spending more time with family, embody fortitude by putting all the effort I could spare into building up my lodge, show prudence by exercising patience, and model justice by working to be the very best man possible. 

Last year, I focused heavily on actively bettering myself through giving time, service, and energy to others. While I plan to keep my 2015 resolutions, I’m turning my focus inward for 2016. As Masons, we lead busy lives with obligations that take many different shapes and forms. In an effort to fulfill those obligations, I have found that, at times, our own spiritual health can suffer as a result. Being a Mason means taking care of one’s own spiritual needs just as much as caring for the needs of others. For this reason, I resolve to focus on Masonry’s three theological virtues: Faith, hope, and charity in an effort to better myself spiritually.

Faith: Devote dedicated time to the improvement of spiritual health

Faith, as Mackey explains in his encyclopedia, is meant to be synonymous with trust. As such, he alludes to a candidate’s trust in God being emblematical of a well-founded faith. As Masons, our respective faiths are left up to our discretion; but the tie that ultimately binds men together in Freemasonry is a shared trust in the Creator of all things. As previously mentioned, it is the duty of every Mason to nurture his own spiritual health. This year, I resolve to take the time to do so for myself by setting dedicated time aside each week for meditation and spiritual/religious introspection.

Hope: Translate desires for the future state of the fraternity into a plan as Master of the lodge

Hope is often conceptualized as the second rung of the ladder of theological virtues. A.E. Waite conceptualizes hope both as the foundation of faith (for example, one trusts in God because one hopes in immortality) and a catalyst for action. Essentially, hope—termed as “aspirations of the heart and mind” by Waite—is the force that compels one to act, trust, and love. Each Mason sees the fraternity in a different light just as each member has his own respective hopes and aspirations for the future of the organization, both at the macro and micro level. This year, I resolve to channel my aspirations for the fraternity in general and my lodge in particular into the planning of my year as Master, which will—God and lodge brethren willing—begin in December of this year. 

Charity: Endeavor to do good unto all and love everyone as best as possible

Charity is a concept often misused and misunderstood in our fraternity. While many assume charity to mean the act of giving to those less fortunate, Mackey argues that, going back to I Corinthians 13, the original use of the word came from the Greek word agape, meaning love and signifying a “kindly state of mind which renders a person full of good will and affectionate regard toward others. Colloquially, agape love today is referred to as “unconditional love” as often used to denote the love between Creator and creation. With this context in mind, I resolve to endeavor to harbor good will toward all and love everyone—more especially the household of the faithful—as best as possible. 

As we look forward to AL 6016, I wish you all a wonderful year filled with trust, hope, and love. Take the time this year to trust in your God, your brethren, and your Masonic leaders. Allow your hope for the future of Masonry to drive you to implement initiatives and changes in your lodges and Grand Lodges. But above all, love your brethren as best you can. If we all strive toward these ends, then we can all look forward to a great year!  

-JR

Bro. Jason Richards is the Senior Warden of Acacia Lodge No. 16 in Clifton, Virginia, and a member of both The Patriot Lodge No. 1957 and Fauquier Royal Arch Chapter No. 25 in Fairfax, Virginia. He is also Chaplain of Perfect Ashlar Council No. 349, Allied Masonic Degrees. He is the sole author of the Masonic weblog The 2-Foot Ruler: Masonry in Plain Language, and is a co-host on the weekly YouTube show and podcast The Masonic Roundtable. He lives in Virginia with his wife, cats, and ever-expanding collection of bow ties.

Virtuous Resolutions

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Jason Richards

Photo by Bro. Jon Ruark, PM

Late December is, for many people, a time of introspection and self-reflection. For me, Christmas Eve is particularly sacred in that regard. As long as I can remember, I stayed up extra late on Christmas Eve--not to wait for Santa or in anticipation of opening gifts the following morning--but to allow myself time to reflect on how my life has changed since the previous year's Christmas Eve and muse as to how my life might change before the next one rolls around. As I reflect, I always attempt to thank God for the blessings, lessons, and difficulties of the past year and also for the hope that comes with the next.

This past year, Masonically, has been a whirlwind adventure for which I am very thankful. I've been blessed with many new friendships with brethren across the world through The Masonic Roundtable, Midnight Freemasons, and Masonic Radio Theatre. I've also been granted increasing responsibility in my mother lodge, and look forward to my time in the East in the coming years. 

But Christmas Eve isn't just a time for self-reflection and poor attempts at forecasting the future; for me, it's always been the time to set my resolutions on how to live and act the next year. Resolutions, while often carrying negative connotations for being broken soon after they're made, can be a useful tool for sanctification whereby we chip at our own rough edges in hopes of one day becoming that that elusive, idealistic "perfect ashlar." As I was pondering my 2015 resolutions, the four cardinal virtues of Masonry about which we learn in the Entered Apprentice degree (temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice) stood out in my mind. As they necessarily touch all parts of our lives as men and Masons, these virtues formed the perfect framework for what I resolve to accomplish this next year:

1. Temperance: Spend more time with family.

Masonry is a vast, complex machine with many moving parts; however, it has relatively few workers to keep those parts moving and may have fewer in the future if current Masonic membership trends persist. As a result, Masonry has no shortage of work for those men who choose to be active--even to the point where family life suffers as a result. This year, I resolve to give my family the quality time they need.

2. Fortitude: Put all I can into my lodge.

Spending more quality time with my family doesn't mean that I slack off on my Masonic duties. Masonry should be about quality, not quantity. As such, I resolve to give my Masonic endeavors my all (within the length of my cable tow) this year, recognizing that I cannot (and should not) do everything; but what I do do, I should do exceptionally well.

3. Prudence: Exercise more patience.

We all know brethren who drive us nuts for whatever reason (if you're on reddit or facebook, you probably know several). While our obligations may keep us from completely writing them off or telling them where to shove it (or may not, depending on how you frame them), disharmony in the Craft can still abound in cases where brethren rub each other the wrong way. This year, I resolve to exercise more patience with brethren I find difficult to befriend and relieve.   

4. Justice: Be as good of a man as I can be. All the time.

We've heard it time and time again. Masonry makes good men better. Why else would we join? You can read the rituals online. A non-mason can buy a Masonic bumper sticker to put on his car or lapel pin for his jacket if he wants to do so. We're here to build each other into men of high values and character; as a Mason, it is my duty to be as good of a man as I can be, as I resolve to do the same to the best of my ability throughout the next year.

As we move forward into 2015, I wish all brethren wheresoever dispersed a joyous new year filled with temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice--four virtues upon which our craft was built, all of which are essential tools to master as we go forth and attempt to carry out our end goal as Masons: to make good men better.

~JR

Bro. Jason Richards is the Senior Deacon of Acacia Lodge No. 16 in Clifton, Virginia, and a member of both The Patriot Lodge No. 1957 and Fauquier Royal Arch Chapter No. 25 in Fairfax, Virginia. He is the sole author of the Masonic weblog The 2-Foot Ruler: Masonry in Plain Language, and is a co-host on the weekly YouTube show and podcast The Masonic Roundtable. He lives in Virginia with his wife, cats, and ever-expanding collection of bow ties.

A New Years Resolution For Your Lodge: The First In A Series

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

WB Gregory J. Knott

Here comes 2014 and is a natural time to think about New Year’s resolutions. While that resolution of losing weight and exercising more will probably done by MLK’s birthday, there is no reason not to carry through with ideas of improving your lodge through the coming year.

My lodge - St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 has risen from the ashes in the last 5 years. We were at a point that the doors were literally ready to close. We couldn’t even make a quorum for most of the meetings. But we decided we didn’t want to end Masonry in our town and made the decision to give it a try to keep the lights on and grow.

Our efforts paid off handsomely has our membership has grown, we won the Grand Masters Award of Excellence in Illinois twice and in 2011 named one of the winners of the prestigious Mark Twain award.

I’ve been as many times what did we do to turn things around, so in a series upcoming articles I am going to share some of the things that we did. Most of these ideas weren’t novel, we were very willing to take something another lodge or groups have done and use it as our own idea.

So since you’re reading this blog, I assume you have a strong interest in Freemasonry. So the first idea I want to share is desire. We had a strong desire to keep our lodge open and to get it going again in the right direction.

Some of the best discussions we had were late nights in the kitchen after the lodge meeting was over. These were true brainstorming sessions that weren’t necessarily designed that way, but they helped build the enthusiasm and are what really set us on the course for improvement.

So if you have the desire to improve your lodge, my next few articles will lay out what we did to keep the doors open. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, just my experience of what worked for us. Until next time, work on that desire to improve your lodge.

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is the Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL). He's a member of both the Scottish Rite, and the York Rite, and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club in Champaign-Urbana. He's also a member of the Ansar Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. He holds membership also in The Masonic Society, The Scottish Rite Research Society and the Philalethes Society. Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts--an Eagle Scout himself, he serves the Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M. as their representative to the National Association of Masonic Scouters.