Building

I spent a humbling weekend in the pursuit of Operative Masonry. I don't think we speculative Masons always appreciate the idea of a "bearer of burdens", let alone the craftsmanship it takes to build even a small and modest structure.

In this project I am the master deciding what goes where and when the Craftsman overseeing the work and the apprentice hauling the stone. .

My hands have bled, my muscles scream "how dare you?!"

My spirit though found peace in labor, my mind a challenge in the yet uncompleted project. My body will heal and be stronger for the labor.

I am proud of the work I have done and when this patio is finished, a mere 220 sq feet, I will drink a toast to those who spent _7 years_ upon the temple. My weekends labor tells me I know little of their dedication and purpose in constructing the house of the covenant.

Program for the grand Assosciate Matron and patron

Worthy Matron:

My Sister and Brother, I have no doubt you have carefully examined the journey you have embarked upon.  As the fabric of our lives is woven of many threads and those threads are brought together from many fibers. Those Fibers are produced by many labors.  So then are the lessons we would remind you of this evening.

Sisters Conductress and Associate Conductress, You will present this Sister and Brother to the First Point of the Star.

Adah:

I am Adah, The Daughter of Jephthah. My Story is one of fidelity.  A word given is a word received, whether it be given by our self or by those to whom we owe obedience unto.  Without Fidelity; oaths, promises, even nations would all would perish.

My Sister and Brother, a great duty is about to be placed upon your shoulders. As we know you shall bear obedience and fidelity to that sacred trust, know that we give you our word that we shall be there when you call and when you have need.

(Adah gives them each a Blue token)

Sisters Conductress and associate conductress you will escort this Sister and this Brother to the second Point of the Star. 

Ruth:

I am Ruth, the widow of Naomi’s son.  My Story is One of Constancy.  Without a dedication of purpose the toils of our lives will come to little.  We must maintain our commitment to God, ourselves, and our fellow man if we are to make a difference in this world.

My Sister and Brother, you have committed yourself to a hard and rocky path.  While we know you made this choice and will stay constant to its purpose, remember that we walk with you.  Should you stumble we will be there with hand out stretched to help you on this way.

(Ruth gives them each a Yellow token)

Sisters Conductress and associate conductress you will escort this Sister and this Brother to the third Point of the Star. 

Esther:

I am Esther, the wife of a King. My story is one of Loyalty.  Without a pure and loyal spirit, our ideals and good will should fall by the wayside. We must ever be mind full of who we are and what we are a part of if we should allow ourselves to help others beyond the thought of personal gain.

My Sister and Brother, we have no doubt that you shall show the upmost loyalty to our order even as you rise to greater station with in it.  Remember then the purity of purpose and loyalty of each and every member here. Lead and we shall follow.

(Esther gives them each a White token)

Sisters Conductress and associate conductress you will escort this Sister and this Brother to the fourth Point of the Star. 

Martha:

I am Martha, the sister of Lazarus, My Story is one of Trustful Faith.  Without faith in God, our prayers are but dust in our mouths. Without faith in ourselves we may never know how much we can accomplish. Without faith in our fellow man, we can know nothing but envy and spite.

My Sister and Brother, without Faith you would not be here today. Hold fast to your faith in God, yourselves, and this Order. Let it be a daily touch stone in your lives.  Remember always that we, your sisters and brothers also have faith in you.

(Martha gives them each a Green token)

Sisters Conductress and associate conductress you will escort this Sister and this Brother to the fifth Point of the Star. 

Electa:

I am Electa, A mother. My story is one of Love. Through service to others, to our family, to God, we show Love. Love of our nation, our fellow man, our Creator.  Through our order we have a way to express that love. 

My Sister and Brother, your love for our order has shown in each of your lives and will continue to be a beacon for others.  In the darkest hours when that light of love seems dim, look to us and you will see our love for each of you.

(Electa gives them each a Red token)

Sisters Conductress and associate conductress you will escort this Sister and this Brother to the Associate Matron and Associate Patron

Associate Matron:

My Sister and Brother, Here in the West may be found the warmth of the sun at the end of a day of service and labor; by its light streaming across the sky we see Gods love and beauty. By the light of the sun we see the rainbow, Gods promise to us all.

Associate Patron:

At the close of the day upon the horizon we also see the first dim star. As it grows brighter with the passage into night we find Polaris. Long a marker for those who travel the land and seas it is by this guide we may set a course even though the day is done.

My Sister and Brother, It is to you we look for warmth and guidance.  You are our beacon of beauty and our Guiding Star.  Remember though, that as we look to you, so also we support you.  We will give you a shoulder to lean upon or quiet, honest counsel should you ever have the need.

Associate Matron:

Sisters Conductress and Associate Conductress you will cause this Sister and Brother to face the East

Worthy Patron:

As we all look to the East we look also to the hope of a coming day. Not one day beyond this is guaranteed to us, let us always remember to face a new day with honor using the tools given us by God We should Square our lives and keep our actions within good Compass.

Worthy Matron:

With the first rays of the rising sun we are reminded of Gods Power and of his Glory. We remember that no matter what earthly authority is granted our obedience is first to the Creator of all Things.  Though we may, for a time stand in a position of power and judgment, one day we shall each be judged.

When we wield such authority we must each remember to temper our hearts and minds.  We should each remember the lessons taught to us within the Labyrinth, those lessons of Fidelity, Constancy, Loyalty, Faith, and Love.  Let us always remember these truths and the Golden Links that bind us as Sisters and Brothers shall never be broken.

Your journey is far from done; indeed this is but a portion of the path you now set your foot upon.  The cloth is woven and the pattern is set, but as you stitch each piece together with service and with love; remember the pride we have in each of you. Let the world at large see how wonderful the mantel of our order is to behold.

Sisters Conductress and Associate Conductress, You will escort our Worthy Grand Associate matron and our Worthy Grand Associate Patron to the East.

OES Obligation Program

Obligation program Order of the Easter Star

WM invites the WP to preside

Sisters and brothers the time has come for us to reaffirm our Obligation. Before we proceed I would like to invite you to take a deeper look at this oath that each of us here has taken upon ourselves.

The word Obligate is derived from the Latin terms “Ob” and “Liga” Ob meaning “to” Liga meaning binding. To obligate is to bind by oath or promise. It is this binding oath that makes us a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. In our initiation we were addressed by name or as “the candidate” until we had completed that obligation and were pronounced to be a sister or brother by the Worthy Patron and told us that we all share in this Obligation together.

We have each here bound ourselves together as sisters and brothers. But we have not simply made a promise between ourselves. There clasped within our hands is a guiding light. John 1:1 proclaims “In the beginning there was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” by this passage we may find that when we knelt at the altar and held that book of sacred law, we there embraced an earthly form of God that was given to us to guide our paths in all our faith and practice.

By this action, we willingly bound ourselves before the great creator of all things; who knows our hearts and minds. We took this Obligation in the presence of the Eternal Judge, who we can hide no transgression from. 

Sisters and Brothers Let us meet upon the chapter floor and Join Hands (gavel up the chapter)

(Warder drops the house lights.)

We now behold our Sacred Labyrinth, bathed in the colors of our order. Each Ray reminding us of the lessons we have here learned and there in the center like a brilliant beacon lays the Holy bible to guide our faith and steps. Let us each pause and remember the first time we saw this wondrous scene.

Sisters and Brothers you will repeat the Obligation after me.

<the obligation>

We have each heard this obligation as given by the members of this chapter and we all share in it one with another.

I gave this program for Arlington Chapter 249 Grand Chapter of Texas in June 2014. It was directly inspired by the Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Texas from his discussion of the Master Masons Obligation during the Grand Master Conferences.

Two more

A man outside the temple began to yell and fuss
Of masons and their useless ways, “who needs you today?”
Another walked the Temple stairs; He looked at all of us.
Then to the first the second said, “I think I’ll have my Say”

These Men you see before you, gave no thought to their own gain
They did not ask what I could give when I came unto this door
When my dear child was stricken down with hardship and with pain
Instead they gave me Friendships hand and ask me nothing more

So now I come with hat in hand a Prayer upon my heart
Not desperate nor yet hopeless now, not fearful in the least
To Join their numbers now I dream, my hope I now impart
Petition I have here in hand, To give it Them in Peace

Two months ago this did unfold, outside our Temple Door
It’s two good Masons we now have for now, and ever more.

blind

I have a tendency to explore the esoteric through my own writing. It helps me explore and perhaps understand a small amount. feel free to ignore if it doesn't make sense.

Study now for heart and understanding
Ever craft is earned before understood
You should know thy self before proceeding
You should see yourself as a brother would

Blind, unknowing we came before the lodge
A friend unlooked for, our guide through the door
The sharp and cold reception then we met
Ancient pattern then traced upon the floor

Yet knowing nothing we did, here, walk in
We did follow all those gone before us
A prayer and then the compass follow
We are each covered now in quarry dust

All of the tools we learn by sound and use
Taught us both for function and for practice.
The Temple on the horizon rises
All wrought by craft and skill and artifice

Kneeling, trusting, we give our sacred trust
The architect receives our given vow
Light unyielding is thrust on each of us
The Apprentice now does here, faith avow

Study now for heart and understanding
Ever craft is earned before understood
You should know thy self before proceeding
You should see yourself as a brother would

Blind, expectant, now walk the circle path
now do new lessons greet us from the gates.
it’s on bare walls we now do hang the lath
and it is on these walls we rest our fates.

It’s a craftsman that now here arises
The tools to build now clasped within his hands
True, Plum, and Level are all his actions
on good and sound foundation now he stands

Study now for heart and understanding
Ever craft is earned before understood
You should know thy self before proceeding
You should see yourself as a brother would

Blind again, we walk with trepidation
What lies in wait is now veiled in shadows.
Now our word we give with great conviction
This, the masters path is one of Hallows.

Betrayal now gives voice to gruesome death.
The villains punished gives but little rest.
Hope now in ever greens eternal breath
Death, this then is the builder’s final test.

Study now for heart and understanding
Ever craft is earned before understood
You should know thy self before proceeding
You should see yourself as a brother would