What makes a Mason?
The answer might be harder than you think.
This was something I wrote when I first became an Entered Apprentice. My journey into the Light was fresh, and my mind was spinning in so many directions.
There is a question that every Mason is asked. I won’t share the exact phrase because of my obligation. However, it’s something I’ve been thinking about as I pursue my journey of Masonry. Masonry doesn’t always have right and wrong answers, some of it is left up to research, and interpretation of the individual man that reads the words.
I’ve only had the experience of being a Mason for a few months. During that time I’ve attended Lodge meetings, I’ve had my teachings from my mentor, and I’ve read. I’ve read so many things about being a Mason. Now, I stay with in my current degree, Entered Apprentice. However, being a young fledging Mason, the mind is young, moldable, and needs to be fed information to grow. Thus, my pursuit of, ‘What makes a Mason?’
I posted a comment on my Facebook that said “What comes to your mind when you hear the word Freemasonry?” This was from the The Square Magazine, a website that is dedicated to Masonic news worldwide. Now, this post didn’t garner any crazy viral attention. My circle is small, and my circle of Brothers is even smaller, currently. However, it did make me think. “I am a Freemason.” Then my mind shifted, “What makes a Mason?”
What I can tell you is that a Mason is many things, he is a father, a son, someone in your community, has a devote belief in a Supreme Being, and above all a good man. A Mason knows what it means when you agree on something with a handshake. A Mason knows what it means to commit to something. A Mason knows how to make sure they don’t overextend themselves. A Mason knows when to speak, and when to hold their tongue. A Mason knows the meaning of pride, and the meaning of legacy. We carry with us the knowledge of over 300 years of work, but we don’t always know how to apply it. Some of us apply that knowledge by being there, and fulfilling our obligations to other Brothers. Some of us take a seat in the East. Some of us simply just show up because we enjoy the company of good men.
As I ventured deeper into this thought of “What make a Mason?” I was provoked deeper into thought when a Brother asked, “Name five things about a fellow Brother from your Lodge?” This stirred me a bit. A Mason should know their Brothers along with knowing themselves. The question as posed wasn’t to cause me to feel bad about not knowing my fellow Brothers, but to challenge me to get to know them more to help strengthen the bond that Masonry creates. Masonry, and what makes a Mason varies from man to man, and those that seek to find it’s answer will miss the mark if they look beyond their fellow Brothers
The answer to my question doesn’t need to be answered. I never want it to be. If it were answered and defined, then Masonry wouldn’t be the same. What I want from my question is for every Mason to think about it; ‘What makes a Mason’ it goes beyond all the meetings, all the degrees. Whatever answer you come up with, it’s your answer. Say it out loud to yourself. Ask those that seek Masonry, then ask them again as they move along their journey.