Episode 98. 18:53 Working Tools Series “Carriers of the Flame”

Our incredibly insightful Grand Lodge Education Officer Brad Phelps asks the tough questions and shares several thoughts worth pondering. 

Transformation takes time, along with a willingness to do the important work.  

“How do you know yourself to be one?” It’s an all new Minnesota Masonic Histories & Mysteries. 

Check out www.bythecompass.org for more from Brad.  

Transcript

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This week we are featuring a paper from our Grand Lodge education officer, Brad Phelps. I recommend checking out by the compass.org where you'll find several of his writings. My introduction to Masonry occurred at my grandfather's funeral. I recall a group of men entering in procession with a wreath in the shape of a square in Compass. One man approached me and asked, are you a traveler? In between tears, I responded by mentioning that I'd recently returned from a business trip to Australia. He smiled, nodded, shared his sympathy for my loss, and moved on. Later I noticed a plaque belonging to my grandfather with a question, what is a mason? It continued with an attempt at a symbolic explanation that resonated with me. I read this plaque numerous times, especially during the period when I was awaiting the acceptance of my petition. During this time, I was anxious to be admitted and concerned that unforeseen circumstances might prevent me from joining others in this laudable pursuit. I wondered if I would be good enough. It took some time to get through the process. and when I did, I felt like I accomplished something truly special. since then, I faced many questions about my motives, beliefs, trust and values. Each question brought with it new lessons As I became involved in more Appendant Bodies challenges, lessons and insights grew. After a few years, I thought I understood and appreciated everything Masonry offered and quickly advanced into leadership roles and participated in multiple degrees with the Scottish Rite, shrine and Eastern Star. I learned the rituals and believed I grasped their meaning. After all, I memorized the work. I was seeking answers instead of asking important questions. As the world circles our son, I find myself wondering if I had an appreciation of the true solemnity of the journey I would take over the next 20 years and beyond. I wonder if I would've appreciated what it felt like to shed a tear or to lose sleep in the fear of letting a brother down. Did I understand the type of love that allowed myself to be misunderstood in the pursuit of a greater good and doing what is right? Would I have listened carefully enough to promote understanding? Prevent miscommunication or the need for judgments. Did I understand brotherly love? Did I know what it meant to walk the line, stare into the abyss? Inspire hope and others. Despite my own fears, would I have emptied my wallet to help someone in need or chosen to sacrifice so that another could eat? Would I practice faith in the face of uncertainty? Did I know what it was like to hold a man's hand as he was dying, or to hold the knowledge that I was the last person he'd speak to? I wonder if I could comprehend the blessing in knowing who would preside over my funeral and that one day death would catch up with me too. Could I have lived life to its fullest? Without this knowledge and with the continuation of taking the passage of time for granted, Would I have known the joy of helping others and expecting nothing in return or the importance of being measured, in my words, trustworthy and being there for people who needed me most? Was I capable of yielding the spotlight to those who needed it more or we're more deserving and being happy for them. did I have the capacity for these things, Or was I more likely to be the type of person to leave the important work to someone else because they would pick up the slack? I have a long way to go on my journey, What I've witnessed and learned in my past 20 years as a mason has been life changing. The transformation takes time, and my Masonic guides have shown me this honorable path that humbles me every day. While we may find ourselves consumed by fear, unimportant distractions, or politics of the day, Many of the important things I've observed or outlined above, including self understanding and the support system Masonry is intended to provide, This is what I believe it means to be a mason, and you are a carrier of this flame. This is the treasure I have found and the world desperately needs it now. Masonry possesses many good questions and answers. Looking back, what is a mason is indeed a good question, but perhaps the more important one to reflect on is how do you know yourself to be one?