Many will say to themselves (or have family members say to them), “What has the Lodge done for me?”  This is the basis for what they weigh the option of traveling out of their way to go to a stated meeting or an event.  For most, the answer to that question would be, “well, the Lodge hasn’t really done anything for me.”  But if we turn that question around and ask ourselves, “what have I done for the Lodge?,” the answer would probably be the same.  So what do we expect to happen?  Once we get raised as a Master Mason, we will get the keys to the new world order and every door will open up for us?  You’ll get the promotion or job that you have been coveting and you will have a windfall of cash?  These are the thoughts that we should not have and why we are asked what we intend to get out of Masonry upon our investigation interview before we take even one oath to the Lodge.

        Think about it another way.   How far would you travel to be with your family? Masonic tradition tells us that we should value our family above all. Many of us could not be kept away from our family if it were in our power to be with them.  We make excuses to friends, we take time off from work and travel great distances to be with our family to enjoy spelling bees, soccer games, piano recitals, etc.  I do not think anyone would fault us for this at all.  It is what is expected of us to be a good father, husband, brother, uncle or son, and we accept our duty with pleasure.

        I was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in August of 2007 and I started putting in work almost immediately.  I looked into it and asked what it would take for me to be in charge of the Lodge’s website.  When Worshipful Mike Diaz asked if I could take over as the editor of the Trestle Board and I did not hesitate to step up to the call of duty.  I was also doing all of this from a distance as I was living in Santa Barbara county and I would travel three hours one way to come to Lodge whenever I could.  I did not make every meeting, but I was there for several events and the all important November meeting in which the annual elections are held. 

        So, back to the original question, “how far would you go for your Lodge?”  I know that many of us are in situations with our jobs that do not allow much freedom of schedule.  Also, living in an area like Los Angeles, puts a wrench in the works due to the amount of time that it takes to travel anywhere in the early evening.  Our Lodge is made up of members that are spread all throughout the LA metro area, the state of California and indeed the entire world.  Many have come to South Pasadena, instead of a more convenient Lodge, due to the connections that they have made to our Lodge, through work or social circles, and once they come to our Lodge they feel that it is the right place for them.  Some do not realize the commitment it takes to be an active member of the Lodge.  Also, many do not realize that, like anything else, you will only get out of it what you are willing to put into it.

        This year I am taking part in the Master’s Executive committee and doing what I can to use my skills as an actor and director to help improve our ritual work as much as possible. I also had the opportunity to help the Master with memorizing the third degree lecture and have been providing transportation to brothers in need that would like to get to the Lodge, but have no other way to get there.  So, after all of the things that I have done for the Lodge, I should be sitting pretty, right?  As of this writing, I have no full time employment and have been living in a different state from my wife and son for the last five months while looking for work in LA.  So, I could be blaming Masonry, or being bitter about the situation that I find myself in, or making excuses about how I do not have time for the Lodge because I need to focus on myself, but my argument is this: “putting in work for the Lodge is something that I can do while I am under-employed to help better myself and be ready for the next opportunity.”  After all, our motto is that, “we make good men better,” but how do we expect to improve if we do not take part in the process?

        We all have a different answer because we are all in different situations. The answer may be different for an individual at different times of his life as well.  I do not wish to make anyone feel attacked or guilty, but I do think the question is one worthy of analysis for every individual Mason.  Do not forget that we all take an oath to each other before we can be raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Perhaps it is easy to forget this one line and not think about it due to commitments that we make to others and to ourselves.  Perhaps we have more faith that our Lodge will always be there and can forgive our absence easier than friends or family.  One thing that I love about our brotherhood is that it is bigger than any one man and it will survive with or without me or you.  However, you never know how much time you have left and if you came to this Lodge for the right reasons, you may want to start taking advantage of all that it has for you.  Someone will be here for you when you decide to come knocking.

Fraternally Yours,

Dallas D Munger
"WebMaster Mason"
southpas290@hotmail.com