Flying

Like Swans: Charity & Humility

As the Foundation of True Freemasonry


What Swans Can Teach Us This Masonic Term

Observing a flock of swans flying in V formation offers us classic lessons
on charity, humility, and shared value. Such a formation requires the one in the
lead to allow everyone else behind him to have an easier and less burdensome
journey, mainly because of the free lift from the slipstream his own flight creates.
This form of giving lasts for the entire duration of his flight as the leader of the
formation, when he then must surrender the lead to another swan.

Such charity actually masks the fact that the rest of the swans in the
formation are behaving in a manner that is just as impressive. For in order to
benefit from the lead swan’s slipstream, they cannot just maintain their place in
the formation. In addition, they must all flap their wings at exactly the same time
and in unison as those of the lead swan’s. Clearly, the V formation does not
encourage show-offs and those who prefer to go their own way. Those not
humble enough to go with the flow of the formation risk being left behind or
separated from the rest of the flock.

It is because of these virtues of charity and humility between these birds
that the V formation best creates shared value. As all the swans get to save
energy through a mutual slipstream and taking turns at leading the formation, all
the birds get to conclude their migratory journey faster, safer, and more
efficiently.

Reflecting on our logo this Masonic Term, we ourselves must in turn ask
whether these two virtues allow us to build in our own inner temples, through
each other, true brothers in the Craft.

Masonic Charity as Agape

As contained in the perambulation of the Fellowcraft degree, the wording
from the first three verses of Chapter 13 of First Corinthians emphasizing the
virtue of Charity is taken from the traditional King James Version of the Bible,
which is the most popular text of our Volume of Sacred Law used in the Craft. In
more modern translations - such as the New King James, New American Bible,
and New International Versions - it is interesting to note that the term “charity”
has come to more broadly be defined as “love”. This emphasizes to us that
Masonic Charity as we know it is essentially about having an orientation for
others as founded on love.

And just what is the Masonic way towards love for others that we have
come to know as “Masonic Charity” or “Relief”? Patent in this context is that it is
not our common notion of love as what the ancient Greeks consider as “Eros” or
romantic, nor the term “Philia” or brotherly love and mentorship which is

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another of the distinct cardinal virtues of our Craft, but the perspective of love
known as “Agape”, or what the Ancient Greeks deem as the highest form of love
as expressed in charity, when one freely gives to another without counting the
cost.

In addition to Truth, Brotherly Love (“Philia”) and Charity (“Agape”) form
our three cardinal virtues. And as our Fellowcraft degree teaches us, the
foundation for the other two virtues is Charity (“Agape”) as, without the latter,
the other two cannot be realized.

Masonic Humility as Servant Leadership

Since time immemorial, Masonic lodges have a unique governance
structure in that all power and authority during a Masonic term is vested in the
Worshipful Master (see Art. XI of our Masonic Ordinances). A lesson often
overlooked is that such a set-up also highlights the total and complete loss of
such power and authority as one finishes his term and becomes a past master.
The near absolute discretion provided by the Brethren of the Lodge to he who
sits in the East and the total withdrawal of such when one ceases to hold the
Oriental Chair of King Solomon serves to establish the perspective one must have
in the position. Namely, that the office of Worshipful Master must foremost be
viewed as a position of trust and service for one’s Brethren, as against a privilege
to be enjoyed. Such a perspective is known in the Craft as the concept of Masonic
Humility, or the total subservience of one’s pride and arrogance in order to be of
service to others. In the discipline of leadership studies, such has come to be
defined as “Servant Leadership”.

A Freemason’s commitment to accept such perspective as one’s own, as
demonstrated each time one takes the Obligation respectively in the three
degrees of our liturgy, must be done willingly and with full understanding of its
nature. It is for this reason that an explicit assurance is provided by the
Worshipful Master to the candidate before taking the Obligation in each of the
three degrees that his making such will expressly NOT “interfere” with the duties
a Freemason owes to God, his country, his neighbor, or himself as such
“appertains to Freemasonry alone”.

As the candidate should discover after his raising, the certainty of such
assurance by the Worshipful Master is premised on the notion that the
perspective and commitment one invests as he undertakes his own lifelong
journey towards Masonic Light will never contradict one’s duties in each of those
four spheres. In our own Philippine context, this is best demonstrated when we
strive to fulfill the four key duties of the office of citizen:

• The Duty of National Allegiance. We should not treat our citizenship as a
status with benefits or privileges (i.e. like how many countries our
passport can get us into without a visa) but as an honor to be cherished.
In short, we must prove that we deserve our citizenship. In truly
exceptional circumstances, this can involve genuinely heroic leadership
such as the examples of Brothers Jose Rizal and Jose Abad Santos.

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• The Duty of Informed Governance. In line with our Masonic virtue of
Charity (“Agape”) as explained above, we should always facilitate
understanding before advocacy, as well as promote the meaningful
participation of everyone in public and private governance processes.

• The Duty of Community Service. Again, also in line with our Masonic
virtue of Charity (“Agape”), we should actively contribute to our
community in the various ways open to us.

• The Duty of Individual Diligence. In contrast to the first civic duty that
emphasizes the real possibility of heroic leadership, this duty highlights
the continuing necessity of QUIET leadership; or exercising one’s daily
judgment deliberately in an ethical, informed, and positive manner.

Needless to state, we all need to build – individually and collectively - our
commitment to exercising these duties every day. We best do such by
recognizing that each of these duties entails a distinct kind of personal
leadership, which together constitute the four kinds of Servant Leadership, or
Masonic Humility, demanded of Filipino Freemasons:

• Heroic – When we demonstrate our duty of national allegiance;
• Thoughtful – When we exercise our duty of informed governance;
• Collaborative – When we engage in our duty of community service; and
• Quiet – When we practice daily our duty of individual diligence.

On such benchmarks will we be judged by our own Masonic peers as to
whether we are indeed TRUE Freemasons when we conclude our journey
towards Masonic Light, and transition on to the Celestial Lodge above.

Building Our Temples Within During This Masonic Term

Our Masonic education during this Masonic Term will thus focus on how
we can best explore in richer detail how the concepts of Masonic Charity / Agape
and Masonic Humility / Servant Leadership can be leveraged to build better
Freemasons. Hence, we will do this with the aid of three working tools that will
emphasize the nature of these two concepts as the foundation of being a true
Freemason.

a. Our First Tool: GLP Monthly & Multi-District Education

The uniform theme of our monthly Masonic education as delivered by the
district grand lecturers assigned to each lodge in this Masonic Jurisdiction shall
concentrate on revisiting and reflecting upon our Masonic Obligation as Master
Masons from the perspective of Masonic Charity / Agape and Masonic Humility /
Servant Leadership. Each concise (no more than 5 to 8 minutes) lecture will be
composed of just three components:

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 • Principle: The DGL concerned will read aloud the explanatory text for the
month as provided in this manual for the reference of the Brethren.

• Context: The DGL concerned will provide a brief interpretation of the
Principle as founded on his own personal journey towards Masonic Light.

• Reflection: The DGL will propound to the Brethren reflection question(s)
for the month as provided in this manual. If the lodge has time, the
Worshipful Master has the discretion to extend the session by asking
Brethren who want to contribute or comment on the monthly lecture
based on these.

Complimentary to the above, the Masonic education delivered at our
multi-district conventions will also focus on this theme, concentrating
specifically on interpreting the actual words of the text of our Third Degree
Obligation phrased in Old English as these should be understood in the modern
context.

b. Our Second Tool: Lodge Education Programs & Study Groups

Lodge lecturers providing separate monthly lodge lectures in addition to
that mandated by the Grand Lodge thru the DGLs are invited to align their topics
and content with the theme of the Grand Lodge lectures each month, to facilitate
even deeper discussion and dialogue.

In addition, Worshipful Masters and lodge lecturers should also explore
the setting-up of lodge study groups and libraries to further promote interest
and the practice of seeking Masonic Light.

c. Our Third Tool: The Practice of Daily Masonic Reflection

Ultimately, our Masonic education this term will only truly make a
difference if individual Brethren themselves fully commit to the fundamental
mission of our Craft: Making ourselves better thru each other. Perhaps the best
place to start in building one’s own Masonic temple in his heart is to commit to a
daily practice of Masonic reflection; which simply means asking oneself the
following seven questions at the end of each day:

• Observe Like an Entered Apprentice

- What did I commit to do today?
- What did I actually do today?

• Assess Like a Fellowcraft

- Did what I do today align with my own religious beliefs, value system,
and duties?
- Did what I do today create or destroy value?

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 • Discern Like a Master Mason

- How did I practice Masonic Charity (“Agape”) and Masonic Humility
(“Servant Leadership”) in terms of leading, following, and helping
others?
- In the context of what the Craft teaches, what would I have done
differently today?
- In the context of what the Craft teaches, what should I do tomorrow?

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 THE GLP MONTHLY MASONIC EDUCATION PROGRAM


The GLP Monthly Masonic Education Program for Masonic Year 2019-2020 will
focus on the Master Mason’s Obligation. A cursory look at our 3rd degree
Obligation will reveal that each paragraph contained therein focuses on a
particularly principle which the Craft aims to teach its adherents.

Furthermore, a more in-depth analysis of the Obligation suggests that the
wordings of our 3rd degree Obligation are deeply-rooted in the principles and
tenets of the Craft and any untoward deviation or mistranslation of its meaning
will distort the very aims that it enjoins.

DGLs delivering the program in their respective lodges are enjoined to limit
their presentation to 5 to 8 minutes, with the bulk of the time (4-5 minutes)
providing their own context to the principle delivered.

To facilitate learning and dialogue, DGLs during this Masonic Term are given
the discretion to recite within the tyled Lodge the specific paragraph of the
Third Degree Obligation that is the subject of that month’s lecture
immediately before they begin with their presentation.

MAY 2019: PREPAREDNESS TO ASSUME THE OBLIGATION

Principle: As expressly provided in our liturgy, no candidate will be allowed to
recite and assume our obligations, unless he puts himself in the proper position.

Undertaking Masonic obligations must always be done in front of the Altar and in
the middle of the lodge. This is done so that the obligations become binding and
that the candidate feels a connection with the Great Creator who is the source of
light and wisdom in the Universe.

The month of May coincides with the District Turnover ceremonies across our
Masonic jurisdiction, when the assigned DDGMs, DGLs, and GLIs of every district
will take their respective offices. The new Grand Master and his leadership team
come to set the tenor and theme for the Masonic Term. Just as in Operative
Masonry no edifice may be erected without laying the proper foundation, so it is
in Accepted Masonry that no Grand Master’s program may achieve full
realization without laying the necessary guidelines and principles for their
implementation.

Foremost before all, the readiness to assume one’s duty and obligation, not only
as a master mason but also as an officer of one’s lodge or the Grand Lodge must
originate where all Master Masons are first prepared to enter the Craft — in the
heart. Being duly and truly prepared, he can then be exposed and taught the
various rituals and teachings of our Institution in order that his mind may be
prepared to move forward towards greater Masonic Light.

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Context: [The DGL lecturing must illustrate the above with how he came to be a
Master Mason, and what he now understands about our Craft compared to when
he first knocked on our doors.]

Reflection: Was I duly and truly prepared to become a Freemason when I
entered the Craft?

JUNE 2019: FAITHFULNESS TO DUTY – KNOWINGLY, TRULY, AND
FULLY

Principle: The first paragraph of the Third Degree Obligation ensures
faithfulness and obedience to the promises and vows that a Master Mason
manifests in front of the Altar. Couched in Old English, the dialect from which
modern English arose, the wordings of the first paragraph declare the
candidate’s willingness to comply with the succeeding obligations to be
enumerated. Thus, whatever duties and responsibilities he assumes thereafter,
the world can be assured that such was made out of his free will and accord.

Sometimes, Brethren take the seriousness of the Obligation only during the time
they have uttered it and, thereafter, they find such to be meaningless words in
their vocabulary. In other instances, absurd interpretations of the phrases in the
Obligation are proposed. This leads to conversations that accentuate one’s
masonic vocabulary yet are empty of the significance that the phrases suggest.

It may be time to put the Obligation into proper perspective, as this is what
summarizes our duties as masons.

Context: [The DGL lecturing must explain what the Third Degree Obligation
personally means to him.]

Reflection: Did I knowingly, truly, and fully commit to my Masonic Obligation as
a Master Mason of my own free will and accord?

JULY 2019: WILLINGNESS TO ANSWER THE CALL OF SERVICE

Principle: In the second paragraph of our Obligation as a Master Mason, we are
introduced to the willingness to answer the call of service to the Craft. Yet often
when the need arises, only a handful answer the call. In many cases, we find
lodges devoid of attendance simply because members find it inconvenient to
attend stated meetings or participate in conferrals. What happened to the
individual between the time when he was seeking the degrees of Masonry up to
the moment he assumed his last obligation in Ancient Craft Masonry? Do the
Brethren need to be periodically reminded of the bond that they have with their
mother lodges, with their districts, to the Grand Lodge, and to the Craft?

We would like to believe that our Brethren are men of apt discernment; that they
are well aware of what they should be doing inside the Craft and what needed to
be done; that there should be some urgency in answering the call of service to
the Craft. Unfortunately, rare have become the days when a brother would make

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every effort to forego the multitude of everyday inconveniences simply to
address his Masonic duties, such as the call of his own Mother lodge. But isn’t
this what made Freemasonry so attractive when he first knocked?

Context: [The DGL lecturing must provide pointers from his own Masonic
experience of how to continue to be active and grow in the Craft.]

Reflection: Am I as active in the Craft as I need to be? How can I keep growing
as a Freemason?

AUGUST 2019: CHERISHING AND PROTECTING OUR OWN

Principle: Charity and service knows neither time nor day. This is what
Freemasonry has taught us in the 3rd paragraph of our Third Degree Obligation.
The underlying rationale of this specific paragraph is to emphasize that we have
a CONTINUING obligation to our worthy brothers in distress and their kin,
regardless of their and our disposition in life. In brief, we are there for our
brothers no matter what life may bring, and our brothers are there for us.

A brother remains a brother thru the twists and turns of life. As such, the people
that he loves likewise deserve our care and consideration. We love and care what
our Brethren love and care for. There is a saying that charity begins at home.
How can we expect the world to revere us as a noble institution when we
ourselves cannot care for our Brethren and their loved ones? At times, when a
brother drops his working tools, his widow and orphans become footnotes in
lodge histories and are later alienated in subsequent lodge activities and events.

We must make the care of our fellow Brethren and their kin a priority, and aim to
ensure that we will not forsake their needs when the time comes and such arise.
This means we must willingly invest the time and attention to know and
familiarize ourselves with each other and each other’s families. Only then can a
genuine concern for the welfare of all Brethren and their kin be safeguarded.

In this regard, the manner we process candidates at present often leaves much to
be desired. Some lodges have the tendency to rush their candidates, while others
try to exclude the family from lodge social events and public activities. While
some lodges place emphasis on family-oriented activities, many instead focus on
fund-raisers and other events that exclude or minimize family participation.

Context: [The DGL lecturing must describe how he and/or his own lodge
involves family members in Freemasonry; as well as provide suggestions on how
the lodge almoner and sunshine committee (if constituted) can be more effective.
If the lodge has no sunshine committee, the DGL lecturing should provide
suggestions on how to set one up.]

Reflection: Do I personally know the families of my fellow Brethren in the
Lodge? Have I reached out to at least one member I relate to who has not been
attending and ascertained the cause of his absence? Do I know of a lodge
member who needs the help of his fellow Brethren?

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SEPTEMBER 2019: THE SANCTITY OF SECRECY & PRIVACY

Principle: In this age of digital information, the duty to keep secret our rituals
and modes of recognition has become a daunting task. Nevertheless, the ability
to keep a secret and safeguard the privacy of our affairs are skills expected of
each Master Mason.
Such a duty traces its origins to the ancient guilds of operative masonry—when
true trade secrets of master builders were protected and given only to those
worthy of receiving them. There are reasons why the Craft keeps certain aspects
of itself a mystery that needs to be discovered by the profane and uninitiated
when he becomes worthy to behold them. Our Craft contains many allegories
which, when presented unguided before the world, may conceive a wrong image
of our beloved institution. Thus, these aspects are only revealed to men of
discernment and discretion.

Most importantly though, secrecy as understood in our Craft involves the
PRIVACY necessary for us to practice Masonic reflection, as we continue our
search for Masonic Light in order to build the temple in our hearts. Such search is
hampered and greatly curtailed if unnecessary attention is created by certain
interests outside the Craft, who only seek to sow intrigue for their own
entertainment or selfish partisan agendas.

Hence, before you post that picture of your lodge activity on Facebook, ask
yourself whether your resort to social media may be used to sow confusion by
those with a motive to do so.

Context: [The DGL lecturing must either provide (a) a narrative of how he came
to constructively address an instance of Masonic prejudice and ignorance from
one outside our Fraternity brought about by a failure to observe appropriate
discretion and/or privacy; or (b) discuss the appropriate use of social media in
Freemasonry, as guided by policy set by the Grand Lodge.]

Reflection: Do I understand and value why secrecy in general, and privacy in
particular, is important to the proper development of the Craft? Have I been
appropriately discrete when using social media in relation to my activities in the
Craft?

OCTOBER 2019: OBEDIENCE TO THE CRAFT AND GRAND LODGE

Principle: The fifth paragraph of our Third Degree Obligation pertains to
maintaining obedience to the Craft and the very institution that represents it.
This also pertains to being true and compliant to the rituals, traditions, laws, and
regulations that emanate from such institution.

Not being a religion but a practical philosophy, Freemasonry allows its members
reasonable discretion to think and interpret its tenets for themselves. The aim of
this is to allow them to better appreciate its teachings and applicability to their
own lifelong journey towards Masonic Light.

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But like all things that we place under the circumspection of the points of the
Compasses, the parameters for interpretation must be subject to limits, lest we
distort the very nature of Freemasonry for partisan ends. Hence, our liturgy,
traditions, laws, and regulations are the enduring essence of the Craft, for which
innovation should be treated with great caution.

Context: [The DGL lecturing must either provide (a) a specific instance in his
experience involving a discernable deviation in our liturgy, such as our degree
work or installation ceremonies, and link why such deviation should be
corrected given the principle discussed; or (b) discuss the significance of
Masonic Obedience and why we cannot fraternize with irregular masons.]

Reflection: Do I understand the concept of Masonic Obedience to the Craft and
to the Grand Lodge? Have I ever promoted innovation with our liturgy, rules,
and/or practices without researching or seeking to understand the rationale
underlying such traditions?

NOVEMBER 2019: GUARDING AGAINST THE UNQUALIFIED OR
UNWORTHY

Principle: Over the years, the call to guard our West Gate has become prevalent
and continues to persist across various masonic fora. Due to the benefits and
privileges that Freemasonry professes to grant its members, men with
mercenary motives—those that take more than what they give - find their way
among our ranks.

The text of the 6th paragraph of our 3rd Degree Obligation enjoins us to guard
the doors of Freemasonry and ensure that no cowans and eavesdroppers may
approach it. Members are also reminded of their duty to ensure that those with
mercenary motives do not gain admission to the Craft, as the acts of its members
reflect upon the reputation of Freemasonry before the general public.

At present, we have members who abuse their privileges. Worse, there are even
some scalawags who, not being able to gain admission to our ranks, boastfully
pretend to be members of our institution. These unsavory practices must be
appropriately addressed. We should all endeavor to represent to the world that
Freemasonry is a noble fraternity and not a ‘boys club’ of the privileged.

Context: [The DGL lecturing must relate from his own experience (a) how to
properly screen candidates, with emphasis on detecting those not worthy nor
qualified to enter our Fraternity; or (b) how we behave in public influences those
who seek to knock on our doors. Alternately, the DGL lecturing can discuss an
instance involving the detection and exposure of a pretender to our Craft]

Reflection: Do I contribute to ensuring that those who consider entry to the
Craft are truly worthy and well qualified? How do I model such appropriate
behavior to the general public? Have I been vigilant against pretenders who

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attempt to defraud others or me by misrepresenting that they are members of
our fraternity?

DECEMBER 2019: THE VALUE OF INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS

Principle: The seventh paragraph of our Third Degree Obligation focuses on the
value of integrity and fairness. Integrity pertains to truth. And as what our ritual
emphasizes, “truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be
good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Freemasonry.”

It is hard to imagine an upright mason cheating his own brother. Such would be
akin to cheating a member of his own biological family. As masons, we are bound
by that indissoluble bond or mystic tie which we violate and break by cheating
on one another.

A man of integrity makes a good mason and being fair is consistent with being on
the level and parting upon the square. Furthermore, the values of integrity and
fairness also apply to people outside the walls of the Fraternity. If we cheat, the
whole world will perceive our Craft as a den of conmen. If the members therein
however exemplify the values of integrity and fairness, then the public is assured
that any dealings with a mason has the earmark of truth and equity to it.

Context: [The DGL lecturing must highlight both a common instance where a
lack fairness has led to lodge disharmony as well as an example of lack of
integrity leading to expulsion from the Craft.]

Reflection: Do I strive to be a mason of integrity and fairness in all my
transactions and activities? Has there been an instance where a lack of these
values has caused disharmony in my lodge, and how was such disharmony
addressed?

JANUARY 2019: PROTECTING THE HONOR OF OUR WOMEN

Principle: Despite being an organization of men, women are revered in the Craft.
Women often depict our tenets and virtues. Thus, the eight paragraph of the 3rd
Degree Obligation enjoins us to be gentlemanly in how we interact with women
related to our Brethren.

As craftsmen, we toil in our daily lives to provide for and protect our families and
loved ones. Wives and mothers of masons have been instrumental in the care of
brethren. The mother is a mason’s first guide in life and is crucial in the
member’s value formation. On the other hand, sisters and daughters are also
influential in every decision that a mason makes. Thus, our obligation mandates
utmost respect for the women in a mason’s life.

Context: [The DGL lecturing must explain from his own experience how he
promotes the participation of female relatives in the social activities of our Craft.]

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Reflection: Do I appreciate and protect the women who support our Brethren?
Do I exert effort to minimize misunderstandings and make them appreciate our
Fraternity better?

FEBRUARY 2019: SAFEGUARDING TRADE SECRETS

Principle: The ninth paragraph of our Third Degree Obligation pertains to
guarding the modes of recognition of the Craft. This is in relation to guarding the
West Gate. While the sixth paragraph enjoins us to be vigilant and ensure that
only the worthy are received into Freemasonry, the ninth paragraph instructs us
to be discreet in how we communicate such modes of recognition to protect the
sanctity of our ancient traditions.

Often times, newly-raised master masons are too eager to tell the world that they
are now members of the Craft. There are also senior members who, for one
reason or another, often forget the importance of being discrete in our practices.
There are thus times when such modes of recognition are displayed for the
public to observe. Although we are not a secret society, there is a need to protect
the privacy of our traditions and teachings, so that we can best focus on working
on building the inner temple in our hearts. Brethren must be apprised of their
responsibility towards this end.

Context: [The DGL lecturing must describe the personal significance of the
modes of recognition to him, as well as the importance of keeping these
traditions private.]

Reflection: Do I understand the significance of the modes of recognition of the
Craft and why these traditions are best kept private?

MARCH 2019: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PROPRIETY IN FREEMASONRY

Principle: The tenth paragraph of the 3rd Degree Obligation pertains to
propriety. A close review of the text of the paragraph states that not everything
that one is allowed to do should be done all the time. In short, there is a time and
place for everything.

As masons, we are expected to be proper and just. Timing is everything and
being aware and mindful of one’s surroundings and context as well as the
interests and concerns of others should become the hallmark of a true member
of the Craft.

There are cases when we should take special consideration of the plight of
others, especially of our Brethren, particularly when we request for their
assistance. Hence, we should also remember that although we are presumed
entitled to the benefits and privileges of membership in this fraternity, we should
not assume that assistance would automatically be given.

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Context: [The DGL lecturing must highlight an instance from his own experience
when the cabletow was extended to a brother in the Craft far beyond what was
appropriate given the circumstances.]

Reflection: Am I myself considerate when asking for some consideration from
another brother?

APRIL 2019: PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Principle: The last paragraph of our 3rd Degree Obligation pertains to our duty to
be accountable for all our actions. This paragraph enumerates in graphic but
metaphorical terms the consequences that a mason is subject to should he fail in
fulfilling his sworn obligation.

It is indeed hard to face the consequences of our actions but to escape them
without any credible exempting circumstance is much more of an injustice than
the act of not fulfilling our duties. As masons, we are taught the value of being
responsible in our duties and acts. Furthermore, we are also taught to be
responsible for the welfare of each other, of each other’s kin, and of course, the
welfare of the downtrodden and less fortunate. How can people expect to trust
us as members of the Craft if we shirk our duties and responsibilities? Personal
accountability leads to predictability in behavior, which in turn leads to trust in
us, which in turn allows us to be more personally effective in creating value for
us and others.

In this light, as our Masonic Term concludes and our year-long reflection of the
3rd Degree Obligation culminates, we must frankly ask ourselves, have we used
this time to indeed become better Freemasons thru each other? Have we held
ourselves personally accountable in further progressing with our own personal
journeys towards Masonic Light?

Context: [The DGL lecturing must illustrate from his personal experience
contrasting examples where upholding one’s personal accountability facilitated
more effective leadership, and demonstrating a lack of personal accountability
led in turn to a failure in leadership.]

Reflection: How seriously do I consider and hold myself responsible for my
actions? When has the presence or lack of personal accountability on my part
had a discernable impact on my life?

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