REMEMBERING MASONRY IS A FAMILY By Morgan P. Corr, Senior Grand Deacon
instructions in the Master’s Installation and the Entered Apprentice Charge.
A
There is an additional tool in our arsenal, which is one of the most important and expansive commitments we make to each other – to whisper good counsel in the ear of a brother. It is too often overlooked that to do so is an act of love: to do the hard thing and let a brother and friend know they may have mis-stepped. A part of this is also to warn a brother that he may be on the path to injury or causing harm. Too often we shy away from this duty, for fear of misspeaking, hurting a brother’s feelings, or because it is a difficult conversation to have. But we should take the time to remind ourselves that we are family, that to fulfill this difficult obligation is a friendly act of love and respect.
s 2020 has progressed we’ve all been forced to take a look at various facets of our lives in order to learn how to grow and adapt to circumstances outside our control. Society has collectively adjusted to wearing face masks in public, keeping socially distant, and learning how to stay in touch with friends and family in new ways. It has also been an opportunity to take a fresh look at what the most important things are in life and in Freemasonry, and how we can better prioritize our members’ health and wellness. I’ve witnessed firsthand the leadership of our Most Worshipful Grand Master as he’s worked with the Executive Committee (the elected Grand Line), appendant body leaders, Worshipful Masters, Masonic building associations, and just about every group he can. I’ve also observed average members stepping up to check on a brother who lives alone, help out with grocery shopping, and contribute out of their pocket to the COVID relief fund—making sure we help our most vulnerable brothers. To me, this has been a reminder that when all is said and done Masonry is a family. I think sometimes that gets overlooked as we go about the day-to-day of memorizing ritual lines, voting on the direction of our lodges, planning programs, or putting together events. All of these are important and are much of the “what” of Masonry, but they are not the heart of who we are. We’re a large, complicated family. We come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We joined the Craft at different points in our lives. We come from different regions and countries. We espouse different religions and celebrate dozens of different types of diversity. But, it’s important not to overlook that despite all these differences, we comprise a sprawling family across this city, and for that matter, around the world.
8 | THE VOICE OF FREEMASONRY ISSUE 3, 2020
RWB Morgan P. Corr
Like many, I journeyed home this summer for an extended stay with my family. As I reflected on my time with them, I saw how much family is reflected in Masonry. I also come from my own large, complicated family: half-siblings, adopted siblings, relatives with disabilities, relatives of different races and religions. My own father is an immigrant from another country. We’ve had arguments on every topic from politics to who hosts Thanksgiving dinner. But at the end of the day, family is family. In Masonry, Brothers will certainly have disagreements, on issues from the profound to the mundane. But 2020 is giving us a chance to reflect that the things which unite us are much more important than those that might divide us. The diversity we enjoy in our jurisdiction is a strength. We have diversity of race and religion, but also of temperament, talent, conviction, and opinion. The Craft gives us important tools for caring for each other, in good times and bad. Many will have read in the pages of this magazine the tools for conflict avoidance, as well as resolution. Just last year the Masonic Education Committee explored these topics, with Right Worshipful Brother Daniel Huertas penning an article on the topic. Among the tools he identified are the
This obligation is mutually binding, as we also committed ourselves to be receptive to the counsel of our brothers when they think we are erring. It is difficult to be told that we are wrong, or materially erring. It takes humility to be open and accepting of criticism, however constructive. In this unusual time of isolation and quarantine, there is a unique opportunity to be more reflective than usual. Have we reached out to brothers we think may be erring and ensure we talk TO them before we talk ABOUT them? Are we doing enough to check on our brothers in general? Have each of us been open to seek counsel, and welcome critiques? None of us are perfect, and each of us would do better to speak kindly and directly to each other; to make sure we take that step before taking other action; and to be sure our brothers know that we have an attentive ear to hear their advice. We are all rough ashlars aiming for improvement, and only with each other’s help will we walk forward on our journey. I for one am consciously working to be better at this. Because we’re all family.
