On The Level Podcast
Some people think Freemasonry is on the decline, not if we have anything to say about it! Join On the Level Podcast as we explore that Esoteric side of Freemasonry. We talk about the inner workings of our Fraternity, how to apply it's teachings to your every day life to become a better man, and general current events. Join our host and guests as we explore Freemasonry together and bring our ancient craft into the modern age!
On The Level Podcast
Master Mason Degree: Crafting Character in the Shadow of Solomon's Temple
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Embark on a profound exploration of life's spiritual journey with the Master Mason degree, where the lodge transforms into the sanctum sanctorum of Solomon's Temple, a beacon of eternity. Unveil how this pinnacle of Masonic tradition differs in its ceremonies and symbols, offering continuous enlightenment and fresh perspectives upon each encounter. Our narrative weaves through the lessons of resurrection and the immortality of the soul, guiding us along the path from virtuous maturity to the ultimate reward of eternal bliss. Listen closely as we traverse this sacred terrain, revealing the degree's power to inspire and educate on matters of life and death.
The stones of Solomon's Temple whisper tales of collaboration and unity, echoing the historic partnership of King Solomon and Hiram, King of Tyre. Together, we'll examine the temple's intricate details and their spiritual resonance, from the sacred ground of Mount Moriah to the threshing floor's symbolism of purification. As the temple stands as a testament to the unification of diverse peoples, its architectural footprint remains an indelible inspiration to Freemasons worldwide. We honor the temple's legacy and its monumental role in shaping Masonic teachings, setting the stage for reflection on the profound intersection of history, spirituality, and brotherhood.
In a world often clouded by the distortions of masculinity, we shine a light on the authentic virtues extolled by the Master Mason degree: selflessness, sacrifice, and strength of character. Drawing inspiration from the poignant tale of "Cinderella Man," we demonstrate how Masonry champions these noble qualities, fostering their growth in men of all ages. Through the personal accounts of exemplary Masons, we embody the fraternal spirit and the transformative impact of embracing these ideals. As we close, we recognize the degree's call for men to rise with courage and humility to meet their era's trials, promising to delve deeper into this journey in future discussions.
Exploring the Master Mason Degree
Speaker 1Hey , chris , yeah , fred , what's a Mason ?
Speaker 2That's a really good question , fred .
Speaker 1You've reached the internet's home for all things masonry . Join Chris and I as we plumb the depths of our ancient craft , from the common gavel to the trowel . Nothing is off the table , so grab your tools and let's get to work . This is On the Level . Well , we are here once again on the level , with Fred and Chris . Another podcast par excellence . My partner in crime , chris Burns . Worshiple Chris Burns . How are you , brother ? I'm good . How are you ?
Speaker 2I am fabulous . You're looking fabulous .
Speaker 1I'm looking fabulous , yeah , whatever .
Speaker 2I've had some coffee .
Speaker 1I'm working on it man . I've got my triple venta here .
Speaker 2So it's , no joke .
Speaker 1Once I'm done with this , we'll really be rolling .
Speaker 2I don't do caffeine Well , I don't do coffee , so I have to get my caffeine in other ways , and other in Sundrius and other ways getting caffeine .
Speaker 1I get it the old fashioned way Coffee , baby Coffee .
Speaker 2Bring it on Beams of the earth into your body . Yes , yes .
Speaker 1So um .
Speaker 2This is it .
Speaker 1Wow , we're here Master Mason degree by popular demand , very popular demand , global demand , for goodness sakes , who would have thought so ? Yeah , pretty excited about it . I think we should just dive in yeah , I agree , and skip our clever banter . Yeah . Back and forth and just jump right into it . What do you think , man , I'm ready .
Speaker 2The water looks fine , I'll get my speedos on my knowledge speedos and we'll dive right into this ocean of master Mason degree .
Speaker 1All right , and uh per our , uh , our previous way of doing this . We we go through the uh Florida Grand Lodge Mentors Manual . If you wanted to know what that is , that's GL 2 , 17 .
Speaker 2Thank you , Grand Lodge of Florida .
Speaker 1Revised in 2008 . Somebody told me that there is an early uh , a newer uh revision . I'm going to look into that . Not exactly sure if that's true or not . Correct me , send your emails and correct me if I'm wrong about that . I'm going to read directly from uh said uh Mentors Manual . We're going to comment on it . Uh , our goal , as always , is to encourage you , the listener um , to dig deeper into the craft uh , to get more involved uh , do more work uh within the lodge , without the lodge , uh in your own life , in your own home and family , because if you're not well , you're not doing it right , bro .
Speaker 2What are you doing with your life ? What are ?
Speaker 1you doing with your Masonic career , man , all right , all right Get . Masonic man , get Masonic .
Speaker 2Masonic happens , it's time to get on the level .
Speaker 1Oh gosh , all right . Well , there goes your banter . There's your banter for the day . Oh my goodness , uh , okay , what do ?
Speaker 2you got yeah Well let's see Chapter five .
Speaker 1uh , in the Mentors Manual is simply titled the Degree of Master Mason , um , 5.1 subhead is the sublime degree . So I'm going to read this , um , having not had enough coffee . So I'll do the best I can . Gentlemen , Uh , ladies and gentlemen , whoever's listening , uh , as I can and we'll , we'll go back and we'll kind of comment through it . I did make a few notes along the way , uh , to help us . So here we go . Uh , the sublime degree . This has been very properly called the sublime degree of master Mason , as well , as as well for the , as well for the solemnity of the ceremonies which are part of it . As for the profound lessons of wisdom it inculcates , the important design of the degree is to symbolize the great doctrines of the resurrection of the body and the immortality of the soul . This does not in the most profound , this , it does in the most profound manner . I told you , the coffee isn't kicked in yet .
Speaker 1The degree of master Mason is different in many ways from the from the two which preceded . Though many of the symbols are the same , the interpretation which is placed on them differs . The lodge in the other degrees is a symbol of the world in which man must labor to sustain life , strive to obtain knowledge and , through wisdom , become virtuous . In the sublime degree , the lodge becomes a representation of the sanctum sanctorum , or holy of holies , of Solomon's great temple at Jerusalem . This magnificent structure was a symbol of heaven to the Hebrew people , for Solomon built it as the dwelling place of Jehovah , that he might be in the midst of his people , israel . Here , the hebraic law of cleanliness was strictly enforced and nothing earthly or unclean was permitted to enter the temple . The deity was said to dwell between the cherub found on the holy of holies .
Speaker 1In a part of this degree , we are symbolically brought into the presence of God to learn the lessons which which it intends to teach . I highlighted that part . We'll go back to that . Thus , he who receives this sublime degree is given its most magnificent lessons and greatest truths . Having that , having been faithful to his trust , he must at last die in order to attain the ultimate rewards of his fidelity , the great design of the degree becomes that of teaching the immortality of the soul .
Speaker 1Man is represented in that state when all of life has fled and he is raised from the grave of iniquity and quickened to another and better existence . Thus , as it has been so aptly put , the ceremonies of the degree lead to the inevitable conclusion that youth , properly directed , leads to an honorable and virtuous maturity and that , regularly , and that , regulated by morality , faith and justice , life will be rewarded in its closing hours by the prospect of eternal bliss and immortality . The degree has many lessons and meanings to be imparted to man . None of these is finished , but each leads to new inspiration , so that each time it is examined by brother , it examined , the brother may find new and undiscovered meanings in it . It is entirely understabladen , stand double , that our Masonic forefathers chose to call this the sublime degree , for it is . It is that in every respect , and I love that last line there because it kind of brings me to the one thing that stuck out to me , and that is the word sublime .
Speaker 1Yeah in itself . I absolutely love that word and I have a little , a little explanation of it . Go for , I was .
Speaker 2I was wondering if we were going to start there . Let's start there . What is sublime ? What does that mean ?
Speaker 1Well , sublime . The definition of sublime is that it is , of all of the parts of an idea or thought , the sublime part of it is the most prestigious , the most important . So if I'm walking through a beautiful forest , ok , and I'm just absolutely struck by the beauty of the trees , the sunlight coming through , maybe there's some fog . I'm painting a picture here . There's , there's some fog coming up , happy little squirrels .
Speaker 1There's some squirrels , there's a majestic , you know six point buck out there that turns to look at you and then scurries through the forest and I'm overwhelmed by this beauty , this majesty man , and the smells and the sense of it . As I'm walking through , I come around a corner of the path and I see this amazing waterfall . The waterfall is falling straight down into this beautiful pool and the water , the sound of it , the smell of it , the waterfall , with regard to my experience , is sublime because it is part of this entire forest experience of mine . But the waterfall is that thing that that supremely conveys . You know , the , the , the , the idea of me being in the forest , that's , that's kind of the way I look at sublime .
Speaker 2What do you think that makes sense ? I had to Google it and the Oxford Dictionary describes sublime as of such excellence , grandeur or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe .
Speaker 1Yeah , Now my definition is within the context of master Mason , the sublime degree of master Mason , as it says in that entry , of all of the three degrees , of all of the ideas that are conveyed through Masonry , coming out of darkness into life , learning the craft in our second degree and knowledge , and then coming to this waterfall , this beautiful , majestic , most important culmination the showstopper .
Speaker 2The showstopper .
Speaker 1The showstopper would be the sublime degree of master Mason .
Speaker 2We all agree on that .
Speaker 1Yeah , absolutely . I totally agree . Especially , the working tool of master Mason is the trowel . What does the trowel say ? And I don't know if we're yeah , we can talk about this because it's in here .
Speaker 2Yeah , the trowel . The trowel . You know what it's used in Masonry for .
Speaker 1Right to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection .
Speaker 2I mean , yeah , like if you're actually using it in a tool , that's exactly what it does , right , you spread cement to make it sticky and make everything kind of level and provide , and it brings everything together .
Speaker 1I think that's the whole idea right it brings it all together , All the tools , all the materials , all the ideas and designs of the building being us are brought together in this sublime degree .
Speaker 2And here we're finally getting into the specific details of how Solomon's temple relates to what we're doing in Freemasonry .
Speaker 1Right .
Speaker 2I think did it cover that there in that section it did . It talked about the holy of holies of .
Speaker 1King Solomon's temple . It did right .
Speaker 2And we know a lot about King Solomon's temple from history and biblical texts outside of Freemasonry . So if you research Solomon's temple , you'll find it referenced in various parts of the Bible as the structure that housed specific holy relics that were important to the people of the day , most importantly , probably the Ark of the Covenant . Right , if you're an Indiana Jones fan , you definitely know about the Ark of the Covenant . It melts Nazi's faces off if they look at it , and if you don't look at it , it can hurt you , apparently .
Speaker 1That worked for Indiana's girlfriend .
Speaker 2Ok , but yeah , no , the Ark of the Covenant was an actual box that existed and inside of it was housed some manna from heaven and some Moses's staff that budded . Correct the staff and some of the actual tablets that were handed to Moses .
Speaker 1That's correct . The broken tablets , you have the broken law .
Speaker 2I don't think all of it was there , but some of it was there . It was a windowless inner sanctum , like an inner chamber , where they kept all this stuff at the heart of Solomon's temple . Does that sound familiar to anyone in Freemasonry ? Right , right , right .
Speaker 1And the context of it , like you said from sacred scripture , or from scripture is that Solomon's father , King David , petitioned the Lord to build him a house , and there's a lot of biblical text there . But at the end of the day , the Lord was like now , man , you got too much blood on your hands . You're a man of war . You've fought in many , many battles .
Speaker 2I always thought that was how's that . How's that for a backhanded slap ? No . You fought in my name . You had so many victories for me to spread my glory . And so many failures You're like nah , nah , you fought too much . I don't like this , but he was fighting for God right , Right .
Speaker 1But the thing that you have to remember is in that culture , for your son to be given that honor is a greater honor For King David , for his son , Solomon , to not only sit on his throne but to also build that house that he dreamed of . Building was just as good culturally for him . He was not , he did not , he would not have received it .
Speaker 2You don't think he would have seen it as a slight no , no , I don't believe that .
Speaker 1No , because David was a lot of things good , bad and indifferent but he was always a man after God's own heart . He always understood the grace and mercy of God , always did . Anyway , that's a different podcast for a different day .
Speaker 2I'm fascinated by it , though , because in my mind I've always wondered poor David , you know .
Speaker 1No no .
Speaker 1Guy busted his hump and then he's like , no , sorry , not you , You're not the one If you read through first and second Samuel , the life of David and , of course , chronicles and Kings too , but you , what you realize is is that King David is us . He's a flawed man , a passionate , talented , very flawed man who never , ever gave up . He never gave up . The man , to the very end , was faithful to the cause . But anyways . So King Solomon , he , he was the one who was tasked with , with building this , this magnificent temple , and a lot of Most of the what , the parts of Freemasonry that are in there , that we , when we talk about the things and some of the , you know , some of the cryptid stuff that we can't talk about , is directly from the old Hebrew scriptures . Yeah , I know my Jewish friends out there , like it's not old , it's not old , but I the the original Covenant . How about that compared ?
Speaker 2to their text . It's not old , so they're saying , yeah , they don't like it that Christians call it the .
Speaker 1Old Testament , the New Testament it's . It's the original covenant and the fulfilled covenant . How about that ? That might even be worse , but anyway , this is not a biblical podcast , this is a Masonic podcast . But the other thing that I wanted to touch on is the .
Speaker 1The Inner sanctum , or the Holy of Holies , was the place where the presence of God Dwelled , so you couldn't just walk in there . The only person that could go in there was the high priest , and he could only go in there once a year . And Jewish law , jewish lore , says that they would tie a rope Around his ankle with a bell on it and if they stopped hearing the bell , they would pull his dead body out . He had a bad day he had . He had a bad day because he had Unconfessed iniquity in his own heart that he did not take care of before he went in on behalf of the people . This is and I just I like to give this background to people so they understand what it is because the word when , when , when we talk about the a place that is , it represents the Sanctum sanctorum or the Holy Holy it is . It is not the sanctum sanctum , it is not the Holy of Holies , it's a representation of it , and Masonry uses that representation to teach us a lesson .
Speaker 2Right , does everything . That's right . That's correct . Yeah , that makes sense . And you ? You said that a lot of this comes from either the What'd you call it original covenant original covenant
Solomon's Temple in Freemasonry
Speaker 2. Yes , according to Kings , the foundation of the temple is laid in Ziv , which is the second month of the fourth year of Solomon's reign correct . February and , yeah , great , 28th , my birthday , nice and the month of zip and . Construction is completed in bowl , which is the eight month of Solomon's 11th year .
Speaker 1Thus , the temple took about seven years to construct right , interesting number , but we'll , we'll pass by that one , by the number of seven completion the number seven right .
Speaker 2Yeah you think those numbers have a special significance . The second month of the fourth year . I all the numbers . Eight month of his 11th year .
Speaker 1Yeah , all those numbers you can . You can do a lot of work on on numbers in there . Some of it is very , some of it is valuable for understanding and some of it is just Internet . You know crazy stuff , but well numbers . All the numbers in there are meaningful .
Speaker 2Yes , and and numbers make up math , which encompasses geometry , which is directly tied to Freemasonry's purpose .
Speaker 1That's correct , that is correct .
Speaker 2The Hebrew Bible records that Terrians played a leading role in the construction of the temple . The second book of Samuel mentions how David and Hiram forged an alliance that would be the father at Fortune Alliance with Hiram , who was the king of the Terrians , I believe right King of Tyre this friendship continued after Solomon's , succeeded by Abed exceeds David himself right and David , and now Solomon and Hiram continue the alliance that David and Hiram had forged to construct the temple and refer to each other in the scripts , his brothers .
Speaker 2A Literary account of how Hiram helped Solomon build the temple is given in one Kings , chapters five through nine , and two chronicles , chapters two through seven . Hiram agrees to Solomon's request to supply him with cedar and cypress trees for the construction of the temple . He tells Solomon that he will send the trees by sea , and this is tradition that's taught in this degree in Freemasonry . These facts are given to people in the form of the lecture at the end of the degree right and a very entertaining way .
Speaker 2The . I like this lecture a lot and the scriptures actually refer to someone who overstraps overseas construction of the temple , as Hiram and the stone masons from Gabal Cut stones for the temple , so there's a lot of detail about their absolutely , is their size its construction , its materials , who built it . Where was it built ? On Mount Mariah , which is apparently a place that's mentioned , where An angel appeared , somebody , and there was an interaction that happened there , according to the scriptures right .
Speaker 1So that would be . Abraham was going to sacrifice his son Isaac and as he drew the knife up , god said Abraham , abraham , do not lay a hand on your son , for in this very spot and that that I Just correct me if I'm wrong about that , my theologian friends out there but I'm pretty sure that's where it is , that's what it's talking about , but that that spot Continues to turn up over and over and over again . So it's , yeah , it's the same place .
Speaker 2History , right right and and the temple was built there . It was originally apparently purchased by David from Aruna the Jebusite . It was a threshing floor right and I had to research what is a threshing floor . It's just where they they they processed wheat right right , yeah , yeah , the flesh was like a tool they used to right .
Speaker 1So if you take weiner wheat , you take we , you put it in into an area and you let it dry out and then you take . You take the fork and you throw it in the air and the chaff blows away and the actual wheat falls to the ground . And you keep doing that and doing that and doing that until you have the product that you can make bread with . That's right .
Speaker 2That's crazy , isn't that ? Isn't that a great ?
Speaker 1analogy of the chaff being blown as you work through to the wheat , to the food . I all of it is just anyway , so that's just it's , it's discarded as trash .
Speaker 2So maybe on the temple the winds would just carry it off and make it much easier to do this process . Is that why they would have used the threshing on a mountain ?
Speaker 1I think I'm gonna have to research it . To be honest with you , it's been a little while . Sorry , theologian Fred here is falling down on the job , but yeah , I would have to research it . There is a very significant Portion of scripture that talks about why it was bought and whom it was bought from . There's a very specific purpose for that reason , and that land , and that is the same land that the , the temple remains , are on today , which was actually Herod's temple , which was destroyed in 80 70 by the Romans now the dome of the rock .
Speaker 1Now the dome of the rock sits upon it temple , and down below it is what's known as the whaling wall , which would have been the original wall , most likely the original wall of Solomon's temple , that was preserved through Herod's rebuilding of the temple and again destroyed by Caesar Titus or Caesar Titus's grandson , who came down through Caesarea Philippi and sacked it in 80 70 , and not one stone was left upon another dirty it was it was one of the most horrendous sacking of a city in world history . It was absolutely leveled .
Speaker 2Some people apparently believe that the temple's purpose was to be used to be a Jebusite shrine , that Solomon Chosen an attempt to unify the Jebusites and the Israelites . I don't know much about the Jebusites .
Speaker 1You know , I , I , I do , but I don't think we're gonna go through that here .
Speaker 2All right .
Speaker 1That's we're probably gonna move on from there .
Speaker 2Yeah , on the scope of the purpose . Yes , yes , we're talking , believe it or not .
Speaker 1ladies and gentlemen , we are talking about the master Mason degree of remasonry , I mean the temple is such a prominent part of the .
Speaker 2Like it bears a little deeper Exploration of what it is , who built it , what it was I agree why ? Is Solomon's temple so important ?
Speaker 1I think a supplemental podcast about Solomon's temple and and where it comes from and and where it's going Is in order . What do you think , brother ?
Speaker 2Yeah , Absolutely all right , but the , I think , big picture , the temple of Solomon , housed the spirit of God , the true living Body the holy of holies did correct .
Speaker 1It was there right . It was there in the center of it .
Speaker 2That is correct and and so Freemasonry is all about symbolically doing things , and so we're Trying to build temples ourselves and make ourselves worthy of housing the spirit of God .
Speaker 1Yeah right , there's an allegorical relationship .
Speaker 2I think the the analogal , the .
Speaker 1The allegory that I always got from it was that we are , we are building that temple and we are one ashlar , one perfected ashlar , not flawless but perfected ashlar , useful to the master for , for the building of the temple , which is that community , that lodge , that , whatever it is . And then the Master , mason , degree brings into it death and resurrection brings it that we have to die to our own Cells , the things that we want in ourselves . And you know , if , if you're a husband and a father , you , you , you probably get this Right , and I'm not saying if you're single , you don't get it .
Speaker 1But what what it is ? Is it self-sacrifice the things that you want to do ? There's so many things we guys want to do , but we can't do them because our wives and our children need us to be duties .
Speaker 1You know the duties and obligations in our lives , so we have to die to ourselves daily In order to be the men that that God are . You know that , that the grand architect of the universe Wants us to be those of the men that he wants us to be , and masonry Brings us through the three degrees , brings us through to be those men .
Speaker 2Yeah , yeah , and a symbolic death of less virtuous parts of ourselves make sense right . We're trying to shed ourselves of that rough stuff , right . That's right , that's right ourselves a little less ugly and Selfish , and that's really what separates us from animals , and I think that that's an admirable thing in Freemasonry that it starts from day one which is trying to shed you of Devices , the , the wasting of the super fluid .
Speaker 2Yeah , the drinking , the smoking , the gambling , the stuff that doesn't have any real purpose or doesn't lead to Help for another human right and so we're tools we're supposed to be useful ourselves , and we can't be useful if we're self-absorbed with our own pleasure and comforts and chasing that lethargic laziness that would come with just being Self-satiating all the time right the food I want the drinks . I want that . I want to spend time doing nothing . That's who we are as people , and we have to intentionally spend time trying to go against our human , our animal nature and Become more human , which , what separates us from the animals , in my mind , is our ability to go against our instincts .
Speaker 1Yeah , yeah , don't have that ability . No , that's , that's right , that's right .
Speaker 2I mean , they survived by their instincts , and we did too at one point , but when we were animals , and now we're humans , and so we need to live Very aware of the fact that we're trying not to be animals . We're trying to be something better .
Speaker 1We're trying to be like the animals . That's yeah , that that you're right and that the one thing I was thinking of as you were saying that was I went all the way back to the 24-inch gauge . You know that we there are things that we want to do in our own cells , right ?
Speaker 1But the 24-inch gauge all the way back to the EA degree , teaches us that . You know , there there's a time and a place for everything , and if we are good masons , then we are . We are taking our week , our day , our month , our year , our life , and we are laying it out in such a way where it is useful To the master and beneficial to the people in our lives , to our wives , our significant others , our children , our brothers . You know the lodge , our community , whoever it is .
Speaker 1All right , let's move on to five . Point two the significance of the degree . Okay , the significance of the degree .
Speaker 2It's a short . It's a short read . Did they talk more about the temple , or was that about it ?
Speaker 1So far , that's about it . I don't remember a lot more discussion about the temple , so I think I think a an in-depth podcast concerning that the temple would be a good idea .
Speaker 2Solomon and the temple there is one more thing before we leave that go go Genesis . Genesis 324 , the first book of the Torah he drove out man , and at the east of the east of the Garden of Eden , he placed two cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the tree of life . So , right at the beginning of the original book , the Genesis , the original original cabinet .
Speaker 1Oh right , yes .
Speaker 2Yes , they talk about the Garden of Eden and this is the story of the original scripts . Right ? The Tree of Life . Don't eat it . We do eat it . We're cast out . Now we're no longer allowed back into the Garden of Eden , because he places cherubim there to guard it along with the flaming sword for our Own good to at the East gate . Interesting . So Solomon's temple has two pillars Right in the doorway .
Exploring Symbolism and Significance in Freemasonry
Speaker 2So there are some that say that symbolically Entering into the temple because you said not all men were allowed to do this right .
Speaker 2Especially the sanctum only only the high priest once a year qualified person once a year signified man being allowed back into God's presence for the first time since the Garden of Eden . So the idea that you could pass through these pillars and into the temple and eventually the sanctorum Meant God was allowing you back into his presence again , where we were Originated mm-hmm was in the beginning right and this is great , beautiful symbology .
Speaker 2I think that links those texts to the temple of Solomon and on our very purpose in masonry , which is to bring us closer to God's presence .
Speaker 1Yeah , that's , that's right . And and the , the whole idea of the Mediator , you know the , that priest that goes in on your behalf , right , we're , we're brought in , right , nobody , nobody can go before you know God , the very God of his own , you know , because what would you say , what would you do ? You're brought in through that mediator , and and that's what the whole , the pillars , and the whole Sanctum sanctorum , all of that is about , is that we , we have , you know , we as , as masons , the whole picture . I don't know where I'm going with this .
Speaker 1The whole picture of it is is that we don't . We don't come on our own right , we don't approach any of this by ourselves , and not until You're judged right when you stand naked and afraid before the great white throne . So you're you're entering into some some heavy theology there which is going I don't mind going there , but I don't know if that's gonna serve our purpose here today . I certainly Know what I'm trying to pull them into this .
Speaker 2I know . I know what I believe and why .
Speaker 1I believe it , but we're we're getting deep into Christian theology , and this , of course , is a masonic podcast , which is not mainly about Christian theology . I happen to be a Christian who has studied the scriptures for nearly 35 years , so I tend to go that way , which is fine , but I don't want people who aren't necessarily bent towards the Christian faith to have to endure my theological ramblings brother .
Speaker 2If you don't , well , I get it , but so much of this degree in particular . It's true , necessarily Christian , it's not , but it uses a lot a lot of it death and resurrection come on , man yeah you know , it's all , it's all there .
Speaker 1I get that and , and I think you know we're we're beginning An esoteric Discussion group yeah , coming up here , and I think it's appropriate In a discussion group like that to go into all of this stuff and get really deep into it , because the group is live , we're all together in the group and they can ask questions about it and come and say okay , well , tell me this , tell me that , and we can all share . Everybody can share what they believe from their viewpoint and be and be . You know , listen to and accept it in gentleness and respect . I think that's primal .
Speaker 2However , here we're just talking at the internet and they have to listen to us . Here we're just talking on the internet . That's not listen to us , and I hope .
Speaker 1I hope what we're saying is bringing a lot of value . I think it is . I think what ? Listen , guys , if this in , if this inspires you to To , to go deeper , if this inspires you to go to your lodge and say , hey , how come we're not doing this ? Let's do this . I want to start this . I want , then , then this podcast is worth doing right there , right there alone , because it is our desire that masonry goes down the path of Wait for it .
Speaker 1Masonry , we we want masons to be masons . We and we want you to dig deeper and deeper into our craft , because there's so much in there and it's so worth it you won't regret it , okay , 5.2 .
Speaker 2Let's do it .
Speaker 1All right , the significance of the degree . We can best understand the significance of the degree of master mason if we compare it with the degrees of entered apprentice and fellow craft . In the first two degrees , architecture was the theme of our symbolism . In the degree of master mason , symbols are of a different character . They speak of life , its tragedy and of its ultimate triumph If we attain virtue . Thus , the voice of symbolism in this degree Leaves the mundane and deals with the spiritual part of man's life . Its solemn teachings remind each of us that we stand on the threshold of immortality in all the latter years of our manhood , and that we have work to perform which is given us by the supreme architect of the universe . In our recognition of the fact that work comes from God , we are identified with him to the extent that each becomes , in a sense , immortal . Resurrection and immortality are both significant lessons of this degree . And that is just such a profound and informative paragraph . I think it just absolutely , I just , it absolutely just nails the theme , doesn't it ?
Speaker 2Yeah . So in the first degree were Fresh newborns . In the second degree were educating Ourselves as fit yeah , adults . And now we're talking about things that you think about in old age , like death .
Speaker 1Right , right meaning of it all and resurrection . Yeah , we're going from the building , the architecture in the building , to the man . The man and his life , his death , that we stand on the . We stand on the brink of immortality , you know , and , and it forces us , this sublime degree is forcing us to deal with that .
Speaker 2This is a when some of the bad rap really comes from for Freemasonry , because when you think about the end , when you think about your own mortality , you are going to include symbols that could be perceived as morbid , like coffins and skull right crossbones and which we love . Spades which are used to dig graves . Yes , there's a lot of what from the outside could appear really dark , scary images being used .
Speaker 2But what and we've talked about this- if you look at really any other belief system and you look at their rituals , it looks pretty scary if you don't have the context of it right . And so the context that people , if you're listening , we hope you understand is that is meant to be a hopeful , beautiful , spiritual thing , not a dark , demented , satanic thing . Right , we are trying to always remind ourselves that we have a limited time on this earth . That's right .
Speaker 2We get caught in the bad parts of our life . When we feel invulnerable , invincible , we don't think about the end . It's easy to get caught up in drugs and alcohol and other things to like . You know just , you don't want to feel that pain , and so you find ways not to feel that pain . But Freemasonry is telling us , pain is life . That's what we're , that's what this world is . It's pain and suffering right .
Speaker 2We're all in it and the , the highest form of our activity on this earth is charity towards another man , woman , child , and that's the . That is the highest , best use of our time on this planet to relieve the suffering , distress of other people , and In that relief we can find some ourselves as well , and purpose and meaning . And so if we don't keep that in mind , that we're , our days are numbered . You know , it's easy to lose sight of those really important things , because the world's Always trying to beat you down , it's always trying to make you depressed and feel alone , and the only way we can overcome that is together , by working together and working for each other .
Speaker 2Yeah and I understand I sound a little politically socialist , but that isn't . It's not a political idea . This is a humanistic idea that we need to help each other Are we have a strength in society . We're not lone animals in the wilderness . We're a pack , we're a tribe .
Speaker 2Yeah , we're meant to be together , that's right and work together and improve our circumstances in life by the strength of us being together . And so Free Masonry is just trying to give us the tools to work together better , more harmonious , because if you remove the arguing in the nonsense you can accomplish more with the time that you have . And I know that that's kind of what we're trying to do with this podcast is trying to make free masonry better by having the conversations that are difficult to have in some places .
Speaker 1Yeah , that's right . That's not shying away from hard stuff , that's right .
Speaker 2Yeah , it's difficult . Nobody wants to have an uncomfortable conversation , nobody wants to look at their ugly baby or ugly babies . But if you have , an ugly baby . You got to face the facts and you got to like give that child the tools to succeed in a world that's gonna treat it differently . That's a horrible analogy . I feel bad that I even made that an ugly baby ? Yeah , I don't know where that one came from , but I don't know , man , we all have .
Speaker 1We all have ugly babies , man . So I totally get it . But I I like the fact that you brought us back to the core , one of the core principles of this podcast , and that is to deal head on with any issue out there with regard to free masonry , because free masonry is about a lot of things , but one thing stands out more than any other , and that's truth .
Speaker 1And they're that . We want to be true to ourselves and to the truth . There is a truth that can be known and we , we want to be true to that , we and we want to be true to the principles of masonry and honestly , honestly , I , I want to see men get better at being men , to be to bottom line this . I just I know that we live in a country right now where it's it's really getting harder and harder to find a few good men .
Speaker 1I gotta be honest with you , man , it's a little rough out there , and I think masonry can go a long way in in teaching men to be , to be true men the lover , the sacrificial lover and visionary of the family , of the group , the leader , the courageous one , you know , the one who gives up what he wants for the benefit of others
Exploring Masculinity in the Masonry Degree
Speaker 1, you know it's like . That's why I can't stand the phrase toxic masculinity , because it's a complete contradiction in terms . If it's toxic , it's not masculine , it's not masculine . If it's toxic , it's the exact opposite . Masculinity is not toxic . Masculinity is the , the picture of the soldier , in full regalia and armor , kneeling down to pick up a helpless child . Right , that's masculinity . There's a great scene . Oh , here we go . There's a great scene in Cinderella man , where . That's a great movie . Man , I'm gonna go watch that again tonight . Cinderella man , the story of Braddock the boxer , the boxer of Braddock , come on this is Russell Crow .
Speaker 2Yeah , russell Crow , right ?
Speaker 1yes so they are in the midst of the of the depression . There is absolutely no money . They have barely any food and he's , he's , he is , he's working the docs in Jersey , which is a rough place to be man . It's tough work . They work from sun up to sundown and they get very little to no pay and they don't always get picked on the docs and it's a super stressful time . And this guy's got three kids and a wife at home and they got nothing right . So he's getting ready to go to work and mom's in there cooking slices of baloney yeah and she cooks up .
Speaker 1She cooks up enough for for dad and for the little girl . The two boys are still sleeping and the little girl says daddy , I'm still hungry . And he started and he talks about this . He makes up this story about a dream he had about eating a big , thick steak and had potatoes and I'm so full I couldn't eat another .
Speaker 1Won't you take it ? Take this for me , love . And he gives that . He gives that piece of baloney to his daughter and then goes off and works 12 hours in the hot sun without any food . That is masculinity , yeah , that's true masculinity , and that is what I hope masonry can help to foster again in the lives of the young men that I see out there , because they're they're valuable , they are our greatest resource and we are squandering them , and , and my hope and passion is that masonry could strike a blow in that direction , and I'm gonna stop preaching now preach on brother .
Speaker 2That's the good stuff . But it's true , masonry is a fraternity for men it is a fraternity for men we're at the end of the journey in the master mason degree and it's time to put away childless things and start being men yeah , it ain't gonna be easy .
Speaker 1We got some tough times coming ahead . It's time for men to step up you're gonna have to make sacrifices .
Speaker 2You're gonna have to do things you don't want to do . It all above all , like that story inculcates , you need to think about other people . Yeah , before yourself .
Speaker 1Yeah , that's right . Look to the interest of others before yourself , you know , and and make it a habit of your life . I just whenever I think about a guy who exemplifies that . It would be Dan Tibbets brother Dan , you know , who's going through a real battle right now . But that man is known for a guy who would give he . They would go out riding with the man . Forgive me if I'm wrong about this or if it's an exaggeration , but they go out riding with the man and he'd meet a homeless person and Dan would give him all .
Speaker 2Give the homeless person or the person in need all his money yeah , dan is struggling obviously with his health yeah , yeah they the widow's sons did a great job of helping the fundraiser man , I know what a beautiful thing really is . Apparently somebody lost a box of money at some point and it was later found and they you know the main fundraising was already given to him to help with medical bills and they this last bit of money they tried to give him and he refused it right said I'm already good yeah .
Speaker 2I'm already taken care of , literally refused to take that money and gave it back to the lodge and said give this to brother that you know needs it to pay his dues or he's in a tough time still thinking about other people .
Speaker 1I know it's just a perfect example , and that's why , for me , I say all the time you know they're the elder masons , those elder statesmen masons in , in in our district and I'm sure in your district , to whoever you know . I'm sure you have men in your district .
Speaker 1But we have a solid group of men above us man who don't play they don't play at this man , they really live it and I am definitely doing my best to emulate their lives , you know , and to get to know them , and I always want to be in a room with those guys . You know , I want to be the guy who's quiet in the room with those guys are talking . Yeah , that's that's kind of the direction I want to go . And all right , chris , we got it , we got to keep moving here so let's go to five .
Speaker 2Point three preparation .
Speaker 1Don't you have an important call from you ? Know , gotta wrap it up . All right , we got to wrap it up how about we ? How about we go ? Preparation , rest , reception and obligation are the other three in this part one . Do we want to tackle those or do we want to bump it to next week ? I think we're going to have to bump it to next week all right all right .
Speaker 2So give us a short one , all right now . Give us a reprieve .
Speaker 1This is the beauty of the on the level with Fred and Chris is we're we're flying by the seat of our pants and sometimes we crash and sometimes we don't , but at the , in the end it's , it's always good .
Speaker 1So give me , give me , give me some final thoughts , brother . Master Mason degree . We , real quick , we , we talked , you know , we , we came off with the sublime degree and we find that word sublime as the , the master Mason degree is the sublime of the three degrees . It is the waterfall , that beautiful waterfall within that beautiful , unbelievable forest . It , it , it ties everything together in in the , in the three degrees of masonry , and it opens up that door , not to the end of your journey , but it literally brings you to that beginning right of the journey of the rest of your life for free masonry .
Speaker 1You know , and then and then , the significance of the degree we touched on . But give me , just give me your , your final thoughts on those two parts of our first , our first volley of a four part series on the master mason degree .
Speaker 2Yeah , we're . We're just getting started in this . We haven't even gone into the second part of the master mason degree , but so far what we've talked about is the beginning of the end of your journey through the three degrees right , receiving the three degrees , and the beginning of your career as a free mason right . You've been shed of all your bad habits , you've learned education , skills and how to how to work together with other brothers , and now you are a full-fledged man and you're supposed to go out in the world and represent free masonry , and the master mason degree is giving you those last tools you need to go beyond the lodge now and into your life and the world right as a man who represents free masonry .
Speaker 2That's an important step in the journey .
Speaker 1It's the final step , and a big one in my opinion yeah , yeah , and I would say I would just you know , the analogy that comes to mind is the seed that falls to the ground and dies , and from the death of that seed comes nourishment , comes a plant , comes life . And for , for you know , the , the vegetable plant , the fruit tree , the oak tree , for those magnificent and and beneficial things to happen , their first must be a death .
Speaker 1Their first must be a death , and that's in masonry , in this degree , and the second part of the degree is just so awesome in this , in this analogy , this play that you get to partake in , that shows the death and the resurrection , the raising of this , of this man , to the sublime degree yeah of master mason and if you're a master mason today and you're listening to this , I I hope you take a little pride in , in not false pride , but take a little pride in where you are and who you are in your lodge and and just the history , the deep and rich history we have , that that is the master mason degree and masonry itself deep , rich history that you are now a part of .
Speaker 2That's right . So stop thinking about just today , and definitely stop thinking about yesterday , and start thinking about planting those seeds for the trees that are going to produce shade that you might never get to sit in . Yeah , that's it , that's right , that's right but you're gonna produce something that will bring comfort to others in the future yeah and there's great value in that and it's time to start thinking about the future in the long term .
Speaker 1I love that man , I really love that . That's a great note to end on my brother . So part one of the master mason degree is with on the level with Fred and Chris . We did not . We did not make it all the way to the end of part one , so we'll have to bump that to next week . So stay tuned , guys . Please continue to send your communications . Email us . Fred or Chris or Fred at or Chris at . On the level with Fred and Chris comm . Longest email address on the planet for a very good reason .
Speaker 1We don't know the reason . But and then also five star rating on Apple . Please , please , please , even if you're not happy with us , give us a five star rating and tell us in the description below why you're not happy with it . We would greatly appreciate that . It helps Apple to prioritize us further , further up the line , and that's a great way to help this podcast . There are no other ways to do that on the other platforms . If you watch , if you listen on those other platforms I don't , I'm not sure why , but on Apple , if you're listening on Apple , please give us a five star rating . We'd greatly appreciate it . Keep those emails coming .
Speaker 1Communications we are working on a your emails podcast we're going to read off emails and answer questions and stuff , and we do have an event coming up April 29th we'll be at the Hillsborough Lodge and we will be talking on the future of Freemasonry . The title is Freemasonry now what now ? What now , what ? So we've got a few things to do . They're very honored to be asked to speak and scared and not scared at all .
Speaker 1We're gonna crush it because we're gonna go in the spirit and strength of our order and and we're gonna absolutely kill it . So , anyways , guys , get out there and and live the craft , get out there and and be Masonic in all in all that you do and we will see you guys next week . Brother , I will see you later .
People on this episode
Podcasts we love
Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.
