This weekend, I attended my first ever Utah Grand York Rite sessions. The event was held in a hotel that I usually use when attending various events in the Salt Lake Valley. It was super convenient for me and came with a discount on the group rate. Always a good first step for a great weekend.
We hear from the elected officers, and our daisies officers elect new leadership. It was interesting that our state York Rite follows the line pretty well. There are always a few resignations due to age and life, but things move right along. But, since I am a people watcher, I noticed some leaders are there for title and power, and others are there for the right reason. To progress the craft. I had falsely presumed that Freemasonry was immune to this due to our vows as master masons to meet on the level. But I was wrong. I guess no organization run by man is immune from those who are “stupid” (you know what I mean if you heard the educational given by Worshipful Neil Wagner at our Scottish Rite meeting a couple of months ago). I guess I had higher expectations from an organization that is very Christian-based and is / or should be driven by the teachings of our Savior.
I have not been immune to having done this selfish stuff myself. An attribute I have been working on trying to diligently suppress in myself. Because I have seen it and done it, I can see it readily in others. So in an effort not to be a judge, this post is just an opportunity to get it off my chest and move on. To remind me how not to be. As in every X-step program, one step is recognizing what oneself and others have done. Then, humility kicks in, and repentance can then indeed happen. I take what I experience as an opportunity to learn from both the good and the bad. Take those good things and do them. Learn from the wrong things and vow not to do those same things to others.
There were some great things spoken by some of the leadership. One, especially of note, was when Right Eminent Grand Commander (now Past) Jason Varner shared his report for the past year. He shared the turmoils of the year and the hard things that happened in the Knights Templar organization over this year. In the end, he pleaded with us to “do the right thing.” Punctuating his remarks with “be kind.” Jason is a great leader and mason. He has served masonry as a leader for many years. I love his comments as he is one of our Grand Lodge Orators who writes well and always has a great message to learn from. I have read everything that he has written that I can get my hands on online. He truly believes in the message he is sharing and, I think, truly tries to live as he speaks. I will take his note to heart and push the pressure to do terrible things off and be kind as he has so ordered.
Today, I watched my local Episcopal Church’s worship service that punctuates this message. The bishop for the state of Utah (Rt. Rev. Scott B. Hayashi) was in attendance. He shared a great message using the Savior as the ultimate example of being kind. He shared that at the last supper (John Chapter 13 through 18), Judas left. Jesus knew why he was leaving and what Judas was about to do. He also knew that Peter was also going to betray him three times. Yet, as a compassionate leader, the Savior did not take the opportunity to chastise Judas and Peter directly. He did not take the opportunity to belittle them in front of the other apostles. Instead, he chose to serve them despite what they were doing or about to do. He washed their feet. He continued to feed them both spiritually and physically. He continued to teach them and set the example. He is the supreme example of kindness and genuine leadership.
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe that I am he. Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”
May we ever strive to follow the example of our Savior in both our personal lives and when given opportunities to lead.