In our Masonic education we are instructed to use our time wisely, using the twenty-four-inch gauge as a practical tool, “…it being divided into twenty-four equal parts…” For me personally, this is the most difficult working tool I have had to attempt to learn to use properly-in fact, it is giving me issues as I write these simple thoughts. I will admit, that following that simple theory, it is hard work attempting to divide my time correctly as a strictly practical matter. In fact, I am actively working on making it a habit. More on that shortly.
In addition to the working tools, we are taught to practice Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Speaking of love freely is not easy for most men. Unless it is Valentine’s Day and primarily then because we want to stay in good with our Ladies, wives and the mothers of our children, should we be so blessed of God to have a good one. (Pro-Tip-Order flowers for her today and do not wait till February 14th –they are less expensive, and it will surprise her even more! You can thank me later.)
Recently our Most Worshipful Grandmaster Jason Jefcoat, delivered a great presentation as a member of the Mississippi Lodge of Research DCXL, on the two Patron Saints of Freemasonry: Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. It inspired me to read again the stories of these two men and their pursuits. I focused on one, St John the Evangelist. He wrote one passage that particularly resonated with me: he being the writer known as the one who Jesus loved (John 13:23)-KJV). “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13: 34-35, KJV In yet another, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:8, KJV
Our patron Saint John the Evangelist appears to focus on our needs as men, those professing to desire to follow Jesus in his teachings and writings, to display our love for our fellow men and brother Masons in a more meaningful manner. This in stark contrast to Saint John the Baptist, who spoke most often that he came to prepare the way for Jesus Christ before his Ministry begins and that there was a need for men to change their ways. On the other hand, St. John the Evangelist, after having listened to the teaching of Jesus and following him closely, appears to focus his talking points in some manner, in fact, repeat over and over the need for us to love each other. Sort of like the admonition for us to practice Brotherly Love in Freemasonry.
So how do we learn to do so? I offer the following quote from Francis de Sale (1567-1622) by way of suggestion: “You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; in just the same way, you learn to love by loving.” It appears that we have an opportunity to work on creating a practice or a habit. Just as Michal Jordan habitually practiced shooting basketballs for hours on end, as Wayne Gretsky practiced habitually hitting hockey pucks or Nolan Ryan throwing strikes in baseball. Or Jack Nicholas hitting golf balls. Practice. Practice. Practice. Until the practice becomes a habit that we do without thought.
Similarly, Brotherly Love grows by practice; there is no other way. As we have seen, it is not hard to develop bad habits, the ones we should try to break or rid ourselves of, we pick them up very quickly it appears. According to some scientific information available, it takes on average, 66 days to develop a habit (practice), be it a good habit or a bad one. On the other hand, we can use our ability to pick up good habits just as easily as bad ones. As a point of consideration, Charles “Chuck” Noble (1916-2003), a former American Major General, is quoted as having stated, “First, we create our habits, then our habits create us.” Thus, there is good news on developing new habits, or practices. Stated another way, we can stop talking about the THEORY of Brotherly Love and instead focus our efforts and our limited time on developing the PRACTICE of Brotherly Love. And there is one consolation to picking up certain habits, like the habit of loving our Masonic Brothers and the whole of humanity, and saying and displaying it, we do not have to wait until we are perfect to do so. Even with the slightest progress, everyone benefits – not only those we live or associate with, but ourselves as well.
Perhaps we would be better served to start exploring ways to display our Brotherly Love in more meaningful ways. Interestingly, St. John, does not recount the following story, as contained in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment and in all versions instances, paraphrasing here; “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Perhaps we would be better off to use some of our limited time to develop the habit or practice of loving our brothers and our neighbors. By word, action and deed. One anonymous source stated, “There is no greater religion than love. God is love; and the best form of love is to be conscientious regarding the feelings of those with whom we come in contact in everyday life.”
In a related manner, my wife asked me to watch a television movie with her last night and I attempted to beg out of it, you know, due to the time it was going to take, but something told me to take the time to do so. And it was a very profitable investment of my time as there was a very moving homily at the end of that movie. The actor, a priest, was speaking to his congregation and expounded, “The humanity of Jesus, not his divinity is where I can most easily relate to Him. Do I want to speak of the Miracle of our Lord’s Divine Transformation? Not really, no. I don’t want to talk about his Divinity. I’d rather talk about his humanity. I mean, you know. How He lived his life here on Earth. His kindness. His tolerance. Listen, here’s what I think. I think we can’t go around measuring our goodness by what we don’t do. By what we deny ourselves, what we resist, and who we exclude. I think we’ve got to measure goodness by what we embrace, what we create…and who we include.” Now admittedly this was a television movie sermon, but this was a very powerful sermon—not a real sermon. But one that contained thoughts that were most certainly true, at least to me. In fact, I now have it saved in my personal library and am now sharing it with you in this discourse.
Remember, I said at the onset, right there in the first paragraph, “More on that shortly.” Well, this is one way I have of telling as many of my Brothers as I can in very limited time that, I Love You and Appreciate You! And this is a habit or practice that I am actively trying to cultivate in my personal daily habits and activities. Just simply to tell others that I love them and work to display it. And now you know one of my New Year’s resolutions! With the Lord’s strength, guidance and assistance. And with some help from each of you, it is my desire to both keep and practice it: Daily.
In closing, I offer a final quote from John Dryden, English poet (1631-1700), “Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you don’t let other people spend it for you.”
This is being respectfully offered as an opportunity to move us forward from the bad habit of having a theory without a current practice. After all, we can all afford the time to practice, particularly if we develop it into a good habit. As the Nike slogan states, JUST DO IT! Now granted, we all already have habits we have learned, be they good or bad. I am only suggesting only that we work together to start practicing Freemasonry regularly–on a daily basis. You know, make it a habit. Every. Single. Day. And not just once a month at a stated business meeting. Just as playing baseball, hockey, baseball or golf once a month won’t make you a good player—doing Masonry once a month will not make you a good Mason.
Fiat Lux
Terry McLeod, WM,
Mississippi Lodge of Research DCXL
