VWB C. Blair Leckie Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington for 2005-2007 Mailto: cblairl@excite.com

Preparation (September 2006)

All of us appreciate and respect those Brothers who perform Masonic ritual with precision and eloquence.  When executed with exactness and confidence and sincerity, our ritual work is instructional and inspiring to behold.  Unfortunately, most of us are not blessed with the requisite skills and tools required to be an exceptional ritualist.   We do not possess that certain and sonorous voice or that innate sense of timing and drama.  Most of us have little understanding of the purposeful application of rhythm or cadence or inflection.  In fact, many of us are unsettled by the tiled yet communal theater in which we are asked to perform.  We are overwhelmed by the sheer quantity and sometimes strangeness of the words to be remembered.  We fear the embarrassing silence that accompanies the “temporarily misplaced” word.  We become self conscious and awkward, feeling fearful of committing some blunder or stepping off onto some incorrect choreography. And of course, there is always the intimidation of the occasionally overzealous criticisms and judgments of our well-meaning brothers seated safely on the sidelines.

My Brothers, it is because of these challenging reasons that I admire and respect every Mason who prepares and who makes the effort to take part in our rituals.  I have particular admiration for those who lack the inborn gifts required for this lofty excellence but who, through hard work and diligent practice, attain competency and proficiency.   They do the labor and it shows.  These Brothers demonstrate to us that we need not be great actors or orators to meaningfully and effectively perform our various rites.  By example, they instruct us in self-discipline and in the importance of proper preparation.

Some fundamental Masonic lessons and symbolism come to mind here.  We are all rough ashlars, even those most exemplary members of our Craft.  Our ultimate aspiration is to perfection, unattainable as it is. Yet, the true lesson and the definitive reward results from the hard quarry work of chipping away at our rough edges.  The Craft prepared us all to be made Masons in a room specially named and set aside for that purpose.  We are wise when we remember to make this practice of preparation an ongoing action in our lives.  Yes, it is true that those who study and practice, those who apply themselves to diligent preparation will never attain perfection.  They will however, gain competency and personal growth, the fulfillment of self-improvement and the longstanding appreciation and respect of every Mason who meets them.

Thanks to both the District Deputy of the Grand Master in District 4, and the Masonic Monitor which publishes his articles for allowing us to reprint them.  The Masonic Monitor is published monthly (except August) under approval of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.  The Masonic Monitor can be contacted at: 6619 132nd Avenue NE, PMB 237, Kirkland, WA, 98033-8627, USA.  Phone: (425) 822-4605 - FAX: (425) 822-2535 - Email: masonicmonitor@earthlink.net.