Brethren, 

Why is it important for Master Masons to attend Degrees?

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The common answer is that we need to support our new Brethren in their journey. That is not wrong, in any way, shape, or form. But that’s not why you should go.

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As noted in the latest issue of California Freemason, which was adapted from a writing of Brother Brett McKay (Veritas 556, Norman, Okla.):

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"One of the maladies of our age is a feeling of disconnectedness from our physical selves. We spend much of our time interacting as disembodied personalities online and don’t navigate the tangible world or connect with other people in the flesh as much as we used to.

Ritual provides an antidote to this malady, for, as Dr. Tom F. Driver notes, 'no good ritual is disembodied.' In fact, physicality is one of the linchpins of Ritual’s effectiveness. Its physicality engages all the senses and activates the imagination."

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What that means is that we can’t just sit back and post a note of encouragement on Facebook when a new brother is initiated to benefit us. We need to be there, physically, to get the fulfillment of remembering our rituals.

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This isn’t a “you need to be here” appeal to you. You need to be at lodge for you. We don’t join Freemasonry to put it on our resume, we join to be a better man — for ourselves, spouses, families, and friends.

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The way to help keep that commitment of masonry to build better men is to remind ourselves of where we came from, and our journey through the stories, by being on the sidelines during a degree. It reminds us of our obligation and what it meant when we knelt at that Altar to change our lives.

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Do you need to be at every Degree? No. But regular attendance at degrees is for you to enjoy and remember, which is arguably more important than having a full lodge during one.

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We all begin as imperfect stones or "rough ashlars."  With education, hard work, and Brotherly Love, a Freemason is shaped into a being that has been tried by the square of virtue and encircled by the compass of his boundaries. 

The following poem, written by Mary Brooks Picken, entitled, "Thimblefuls of Friendliness" was written in 1924, and, perhaps, says it best.

"Isn't it strange that Princes and Kings
And clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
And just plain folks like you and me,
Are builders for Eternity?

To each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass and a book of rules,
And each must make ere life is flown,
A stumbling block, or a stepping stone."

From the South

Joseph Wallach - Junior Warden  

As we enter into May, there are many days to celebrate, some light-hearted and some somber. 

Star Wars Fans of course look forward to "May the 4th be With You", Star Wars Day, followed by the Cinco De Mayo, which is usually marked with food, drink, and music. 

On May 29th this year we observe Memorial Day.  A day to remember those who have lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Military and honor their contribution to the enduring freedom of the United States. 

We have fifteen birthdays this month, including our Lodge Master, Worshipful Mauro Lara.

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May The Lodge Be With You

Francisco Marques, PM - Masonic Education Committee

Since our Stated Meeting falls on Star Wars Day this year, I wanted to share a few lessons we learned from Worshipful Russ Tomas, JPM, our ultimate Coruscant Ambassador. No, it's not a typo. Some use JPM as Junior Past Master. To me, he is our Jedi Past Master.

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Like the Force, Washington Lodge No. 20 is in and around every living thing in our Masonic Odyssey.

Whether our Entered Apprentices start as scruffy nerf herders, frog-eater younglings, or the sporadic midi-chlorian-loaded overachiever ("Wayne"?), all of them can build a better future for the Craft with the right support and leadership.

In our Lodge, we won’t have access to bacta tanks and memory readers to grow genetic clones of our best Officers, but we will need to consider how WLN20 social and educational events, as well as coaching practices, might affect membership progress and retention.

Worshipful Tomas introduced us to a new way of performing Masonic Ceremonies and Ritual. It turns out it was possible to lighten up our Degrees with video games and pop culture references or the occasional soundtrack by the virtuoso John Williams, composer of the music of all nine Skywalker Saga films. In doing so, good seeds of innovation and creativity were planted, and the effects produced on membership are still felt and carried on by a good number of faithful Padawan to this day.

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I'm no Dan Zehr but I do immerse myself into some Star Wars canon here and there, and - by a fortunate light-saber stroke of serendipity - I came across a piece written by Brother Erik Marks, published by the Southern California Research Lodge. This work caused me to reflect on some of the many philosophical aspects that are common to Freemasonry and the Star Wars Universe and made me realize that our JPM was right all along.

The author adroitly propounds:

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"Far, far, away, in an era long ago, the archetypal battle between dark and light took an intergalactic turn, which several generations know and love. The mythologies of old were presented with an updated articulation that heralded a mass-media shift to more complex backstories and openly troubled souls of heroes and anti-heroes alike."

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"An esoteric duality of a different sort awaits the patient knight aspirant if he is willing to explore the mysteries. The spiritual foundation that Star Wars rests upon is a blend of Western and Eastern spiritual or wisdom traditions and related iconography, similar to those of the fraternity to which many of us belong. 

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"Like Jedi, Freemasons use tools to practice subduing urges to wrongdoing in the service of self and others. Jedi train to know their emotions without being swayed by them. Jedi, we could say, work towards the clairvoyance that enlightenment, or seeing the truth, offers, with the additional task of protecting other beings. They are supposed to be selfless servants to society through voluntary charity and strive to be pillars of their community by being exemplary citizens. They train to subdue emotions that would cause them to act out negatively towards others, which would lead to increased suffering. Jedi purportedly focus on self-improvement, making themselves, um, …better.

"For the Freemason, the forces that bind us all together are brotherly love and affection. As such, these are the basis for tremendous acts of charity, compassion, and relief. They have inspired and maintained oral and written traditions that we will transmit across space and time to the next generations of men who join."

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Yes, it is no secret Freemasons cherish historical tradition. Most fraternal organizations advocate for themselves a tradition, which usually refers to a distant past. But the truth is that our Fraternity has been undergoing innovations for centuries and those steps have in actuality kept the Craft alive and moving forward, our Lodge included. There are many innovative changes that have been successful at the time, but have later been regarded as a backward step or had a very limited life, sometimes leading to membership resistance to change in general. 

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When our Lodge Brothers attended their first Stated Meeting at the new Masonic Temple on J Street on April 1st, 1920, many expressed disapproval and disappointment. The building was "too modern" or "not remarkable enough." To our present generation, however, our building is "distinguished" and "full of history."

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Changes to how we "have experienced Freemasonry in the past" can be uncomfortable to some. This is not a problem with the Masonic Fraternity only, it is human nature to dislike change. It becomes uncomfortable to think that things are no longer going to be the same. 

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The first Star Wars film spawned a number of prequels, sequels, stand-alone films, television series, books, theme parks, and all kinds of merchandise. And, of course, there are those who consider the original trilogy the "real Star Wars." The new generations of fans may like the animated series better. Nevertheless, the message is very clear to me: there is something for everyone.

Is this why the Star Wars franchise has been so successful? What is its enduring appeal, and why does it resonate with so many people? Similarly, I wonder, why is Freemasonry still going strong, even after centuries of existence?

Adaptability and Innovation

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The new generations of Freemasons have already embraced the Craft as they know it.

Virtual Dues Cards? No problem!

Electronic Playlist for Ceremonies? Cool!

Online Candidate Learning Center? Love it!

Digital Trestle Board? Well, thank you for reading it! 

Zoom Meetings? Meh...

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Finding ways to determine our willingness to change ahead of time will become as important as learning Ritual and hosting coaching sessions. While we may not be able to predict the future, we certainly should be able to start thinking about how to position ourselves for whatever is coming next. 

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171 Years of Washington Lodge no. 20

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A long time ago, 20 Master Masons met on Thursday, February 19th, 1852, for the purpose of organizing a new Masonic Lodge in the midst of the Gold Rush chaos. They drew up and signed a petition for a dispensation and presented it to the Grand Lodge of California, who granted it two days later.

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On Wednesday, May 5th, 1852, those Brothers received their charter as Washington Lodge No. 20.

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Eight days later, on Thursday, the 13th, Nathaniel Curtis was elected the first regular Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge No. 20 under the charter. He was re-elected Worshipful Master of the same in 1853-1854 and 1857. For a full list of all Past Masters of our Lodge, please click HERE.

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Congratulations, Washington Lodge No. 20!

May the past be your guide, may the future be your force, and may the Lodge be with you, always.