Rite Works - Scottish Rite Masons Of Denver

Rite WorksPage 7OrationBy Aaron Klostermeyer, 32 Good Evening Brethren. It is great tosee you all here, and especially somany new members from the Mayreunion. I remember when I received the degrees inthe Spring of 2007. Before I joined, I kept hearingabout how the Scottish Rite is the “University ofFreemasonry” and I was thinking, “man, this isgoing to be great- if this is the University there mustbe parties, football, cheerleaders- and I bet we cantake the degrees in our pajamas- our own pajamasthat is, not those white ones from the blue lodgedegrees.” Of course then I got here and found thatthe “University” title just referred to education, lotsand lots of Masonic Education. So, I put away mybeer helmet and put on my 32nd degree cap, andhere I am.Of course I am only kidding. I was initially drawnto the Scottish Rite in large part by that verypromise of further Masonic Education. But what iseducation; exactly what does it mean?In his book “How to Study,” George FillmoreSwain writes:Education is an opportunity, nothing more.It will not guarantee success, or happiness, orcontentment, or riches. Everything depends uponwhat development is produced by it and use is madeof it. Properly employed, however, andcombined with high character, with a due respectfor the rights of others, and with simple andpracticable but high ideals, it should help a manvery greatly in making himself of service in theworld and so making his life really successful in thehighest sense. What the student gets out of hiseducation depends largely upon what he puts into it.In the same way, Masonic education is but anopportunity for a good man to become better; it isnot, itself, a guarantee. And similarly, whenproperly employed it should help him enjoy a betterlife and to contribute to a better society. Simplyreceiving the degrees is not enough. As Masons, weare possessed of high character, a respect for others,May 2012and practicable but high ideals. But we mustproperly employ our education by understanding thelessons presented in our degrees and, moreimportantly, we must apply those lessons in ourdaily lives for that education to be meaningful.Looking back, I think about receiving the degrees atmy first reunion, not in terms of getting my ScottishRite education, but rather as receiving the classsyllabus for a life-long, self-paced course inMasonic education- a relatively brief outline of thematerial to be studied over the coming years. I tookit as a challenge to undertake a lifetime of learningin order to understand much, if not all, of what hadjust been presented to me.A brother’s first reunion goes by so fast, with somuch information, that he cannot possibly absorbmore than a fleeting glimpse, or at most anoverview, of all the helpful and importantknowledge that awaits him within the Scottish Ritedegrees. Sage advice about leadership, decisionmaking, managing employees, and investigatingTruth is all in there. Also deep contemplations onthe rule of law, the balance of freedom andgovernment, doing the right thing when “the rightthing” isn’t always clear, the glory and nobility ofhard work, the unifying themes of various worldreligions, and much, much more wait to bediscovered.The tools necessary to explore this rich mine ofknowledge are readily available, and you areencouraged to use them. A Bridge to Light, Moralsand Dogma, the “Master Craftsman” Programs, TheCollege of the Consistory, the Scottish RiteResearch Society, discussions with learned brethrenand with other brethren just starting to learn, andactive participation in the degrees and on degreecommittees; all these and more are tools at yourdisposal. You are not necessarily expected to makeuse of them all, and certainly not all at once. But notto use any would be to squander the opportunity ofthe valuable Masonic education which has beenbestowed upon you.I realize that the task may seem daunting at times,when flipping through vast pages of Morals andDogma, or when listening to the headyconversations of some of our local Masonic

Rite WorksPage 8scholars. I certainly am not as far along in mystudies as I would like to be. But take heart that helpis available to you. Take heart in the thrill ofdiscovery and fulfillment that awaits you and in theyears that lay ahead in which to spread out andenjoy the great labor before you. Choose a pathwhich best fits you, begin where you can, and thendevote as much time to that endeavor as your otherduties allow. Remember that the longest journeysbegin with a single step.As you learn and grow in the Scottish Rite,remember always to apply that knowledge tosomething in your life or in the real world, alwaysstriving to become better than yourself. In this way,you may look back, near the end of your days, andknow that you have been of service to the world,and that you have made your life “really successfulin the highest sense”.I leave you tonight with a challenge and with acharge. The challenge is for every brother here, tocontinue their Masonic education this week in thefollowing way. Choose any Scottish Rite degree,identify a lesson in that degree and think of asituation in real life where that lesson would apply.Write it down and share your results with anotherbrother in this room later this week, so that you bothcan learn from each other’s thoughts. I will be doingthis myself and sharing my results with Bro. PaulHarrison. That is your challenge.The charge comes in the words of the VenerableMaster of the 12th degree, who speaks to theexpectations and responsibilities inherent withreceiving the education in our Scottish Rite degrees.“Such are the instruments of a Master Architect,and such are the lessons they teach us. Forget notthat you are solemnly charged to practice all thevirtues that they teach, for thus only can youdeserve, however proudly you may wear, the title ofMaster Architect.”Brethren, activate the education which you havereceived. Become better men, better Masons, andbetter citizens, that together we may leave the worldbetter than we have found it.Thank you.May 2012“Applying Masonic Education, Meetingthe Orator’s Challenge”In my May 21st oration for the members of DenverConsistory, I issued a challenge for every brotherpresent to continue their Masonic education thisweek, by finding any lesson in any degree andthinking of a real life situation in which to apply it.Since, as Masons, we should lead by example, Isubmit my fulfillment of this challenge as anexample of easily, yet fruitfully this call to actionmay be met. This challenge is not intended to becumbersome, esoteric, brooding, or difficult.Rather, it ought to be simple, fun, practical,enlightening, achievable, and repeatable. Thepurpose is to take Masonry out of the books and therituals and begin to put it in our everyday thoughtsand actions.The evening after the meeting, I dusted off my copyof “A Bridge to Light” and flipped through thepages, looking at the duties, lessons, and reflectionquestions at the beginning of several degrees untilfinding one that I connected with. I settled on the 6thDegree and read through that chapter.6th Degree, Intimate SecretaryDuties: Be zealous, fathful, disinterested and benevolent. Act thepeacemaker.Lessons: Zeal and fidelity to duty are always rewarded.For reflection: Why act the peacemaker?My Application: In this degree, we witness two examples of whatappear on the surface to be bad deeds. King Hiram at first feelscheated by one character, and then thinks he is spied upon byanother person. King Hiram wants to jump to conclusions andexecute punishment. After more information is gathered, however,the truth of matter reveals everyone’s honorable intentions andpeace is at last restored.Sometimes people do or say things that make us mad. Before flyingoff the handle at them, or telling our friends how bad and stupidsomeone is, we should take a moment to learn more facts. Is thesituation really what you thought it was? If you can’t ask the persondirectly, mentally consider if there are other explanations for whatyou saw or heard that put the person in a better light. Ask yourself,“If that was me, what good reason could I have for doing that?”Taking a moment to give the person their due trial can reduce yourfeelings of stress and prevent you from over-reacting and lookinglike the jerk or the idiot in the situation. Likewise, when you hear afriend jump to conclusions about a person’s words or deeds, sharethis advice. Your wisdom may save a friendship or workingrelationship, and will contribute to more harmony and productivityaround you.

Rite WorksPage 9IS THERE SOMETHINGWRONG WITH MASONRY?Master of Kadosh, John A. Warren, 32 KCCHTo hear some people talk, yesthere is, and in a major way. I am notso sure.Since being installed as Master of Kadoshfor the Denver Consistory in January, I have beenwondering how I could fulfill my obligation to writean article for the Rite Works. Oddly enough, I hadbeen experiencing some despondency over thecurrent Masonic state of affairs, when severalarticles appeared, written by Brothers from acrossthe broad spectrum of Masonry who expressedconcerns over what is wrong with theFraternity .why not talk about that? So manythings seem to come together, that my despondencysoon lifted. I became energized again and thisarticle came about.Understanding that there are as manydifferent opinions on this topic as there are Masons,what follows is strictly THIS Mason’s opinion!As stated at the end of the below mentionedarticle, it said that, “ It is presented with the hopeof consideration and discussion by our Brethren.”That article certainly pushed my buttons!!An article in the April 2012 Rite Worksasked the question: “WHATEVER BECAME OFTHE MASONRY WE ONCE KNEW?” Theauthors of that article appeared to be despondentand lamenting the idea that today’s Fraternity is notthe same as it was with yesterday’s Fraternity whenthey first became Masons, so many years ago. Theauthors continually lambasted today’s Fraternitybecause it did not meet “THEIR” standards fromyears ago.I would guess that the authors failed to thinkabout the fact that Masonry, like everything else inlife, must constantly re-make itself to keep up withthe World. Yes, our history, rituals and purposepretty much remain the same, but the fact is that weare not the same Fraternity as we were so manyyears ago. We are constantly adding to our History.May 2012I cannot even begin to try and guess theauthors’ motive or reasoning, but I do knowthis .the more I read of this article, the moreuncomfortable I felt. It is difficult for me tounderstand the authors’ level of discomfort withMasonry in today’s world.To be fair to the authors, they did commentnear the end of the article that their intention wasnot to leave the impression that all in today’sFraternity is negative .that we do have an exciting,unique organization. Huh!!!!In the spring 2012 Royal Arch MasonMagazine, a Brother asked the question: “What doesOn the Level mean to you?” The author of thisarticle goes on to ask questions like:“We say we believe in the tenants of Free Masonry,but do we really?” or “We do not discuss politics innearly every level of Masonry?”The more of THIS article I read, the morealarmed I felt. Of course, only a very naïve manwould believe there was not some perception ofpolitics in Masonry, but a “SIGNIFICANT”level .hardly!!!We are instructed during Masonic officerinstallation ceremonies that out of necessity, somemust lead and others must follow.Politicalintrigue? Get real!!!In the first apartment of the 18th degree, thecandidate, as part of his journey in search of theTrue Word, is told that “ Despair and doubt,stupid fatalism and blind faith settle like a darkenedcloud upon the earth.” In would seem that some ofour nay saying Brethren have focused on the bumpsin the road instead of looking forward to the end oftheir Journey when they do discover the True Word.Oh, by the way, until we are admitted into thatCelestial Lodge above, do we ever reach the end ofour Masonic Journey?Based on articles such as these, some say theMasonic negativity seems to be prevalent these daysand actually turns some Brothers away from theFraternity. Personally, I choose not to ignore thenegativity, but to embrace it and work towardschanging attitudes.

P a g e 10Rite WorksDuring his official visit to South DenverLodge #93 several weeks ago, Grand Master ofMasons in Colorado, Karl Hinkle, commentedduring the presentation of 50 year awards to fourBrothers, that Masonry is not the same today as itwas 50 years ago when these four Brothers firstcame into the Fraternity and reasoned how we mustadapt to changes in our Fraternity.You have only to look around you to see sovery much that is good and proper in “TODAY’S?”Fraternity.In the January, 2012 Knight TemplarMagazine, as article entitled “Hindrance to Light aFreemason Obstacle”, the author was right on indefining what we must do to increase our Masonicknowledge in the different stages of our Journey.In an article in the April 2012 Rite Works,Brother J. Randy Penn responded to a questionabout what would make this year a success for him.He commented that this year would be successful ifevery Colorado Mason felt a greater affection forthe Fraternity at the end of the year than at thebeginning of the year.In an earlier Rite Works article, Brother JimSmith was telling us not to wait too long to worktoward our goals in life .that time passes tooquickly sometimes.Perhaps, the authors of the earlier articlebemoaning their idea that yesterday’s Fraternity wasforever lost could find some degree of comfort intoday’s Blue Lodge’s, using my own as an example.That Lodge has a young, energetic, dedicated,devoted line of Officers. These men devote a lot oftime perfecting their Ritual work as well as workingon the very tenants of the Fraternity. I could not beprouder of them.Most other Blue Lodges’ out there are doingthe same thing. THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKEA FRATERNITY IN DECLINE TO ME!!!We are taught during our Masonic Journeythat it is the internal qualifications of a man and notthe external that Masonry regards. Yes, someLodges may have a more rigid dress code thanothers some may take liberties with the rituals.May 2012But so what? They are sincere and dedicated to thefraternity, as are we. Your outer appearance is notwhat makes you a Mason.Is everything perfect in today’s Fraternity?No, but by working toward a common goal, we canimprove and make our Fraternity better. It has oftenbeen said that one of our goals is to make a goodman better.For those who feel that there is so muchwrong with the Fraternity today, do something tohelp “fix?” the problems you perceive.In the Nov/Dec 2011 issue of The ScottishRite Journal, Grand Commander Ronald A Seale,33 posed the following: “Most Importantly, havewe taken the time to be a brother to another brotherand extend the helping hand of the Fraternity tothose who have fallen by the way?”He went on to say: “I sometimes hear mensay Masonry has nothing more to offer them andthey have lost interest. They argue that it is not likeit used to be in the good old days.”He concluded by issuing a challenge: “Thisweek, your Craft Lodge, Scottish Rite, York Rite orShrine will meet. There’s a chair to fill, a job to door simple a hand to shake. Will you take your placeand experience a new beginning? Yet, again?”I think we are up to that challenge!!The Serenity Prayer is life changing and, inits simplicity, gives us some guidelines on how toreconcile, in our own mind, YESTERDAY’SMasonic Fraternity with TODAY’S MasonicFraternity.“Grant me the serenity to accept the thingsI cannot change, the courage to change the thingsI can and the wisdom to know the difference.”Amen and Amen.

Rite WorksP a g e 11Meet your BrothersBy Jack White,32 KCCHBrother John E.Bartos was selected asClass President for the2012 Spring Reunionat the Denver Consistory. John is amember of Golden Lodge # 1 and became a MasterMason in June, 2011.John is retired from the Air Force and was aComputer Science executive. John and his wifeKaren have a daughter Julie, married to JamesBehrens, and two (2) granddaughters, Katja andJuju.John enjoys Horology/Antique Clocks andGenealogy. He and Karen relax by doing a bit oftraveling.John states that “Although I have reached the ageof “Senior Citizen”, I am very new to Freemasonry.My biggest regret is that I did not do it 30-40 yearsago.”He hopes to learn more and he feels the ScottishRite degrees advanced his knowledge. He isexcited and wants to be part of the future ofMasonry.John Willard Butler was selected asthe Class Vice-President for the 2012Spring Reunion of the DenverConsistory. John has been a Mason fortwo (2) years and is a member ofNorthglenn Lodge #194.John and his wife Amy have three (3) daughters,Meghan, Erin, and Abigail.John is a Deputy Sheriff for Jefferson County andbeen there for 16 years. He has been a MotorcycleOfficer on the Traffic Team for nine (9) of thoseyears. (Be very, very careful when traveling in thearea where John is working).Brother John enjoys several hobbies includingleather work, playing the Irish sport of Hurling andcollecting old military items from Germany, EastGermany, the Soviet Union and Russia.John relaxes by listening to music, drawing orpainting. John wants to voluntarily retire from hisjob when the time comes and not get hit on hismotorcycle.May 2012He hopes to get his associates degree and plans tobe a very active member of his lodge and theConsistory. His family moved from Virginia in1978. Welcome, John, to the Denver Consistory.Brother Jonathan Nickerson is a newMason and is a member of Denver #5.He was selected as Class Secretary forthe 2012 Spring Reunion at the DenverConsistory.Jonathan is engaged to Ryann andwill be married on September 1st, 2012. He is aconsultant in the aerospace engineering field andhas been doing this for about eight (8) years.His hobbies and ways of relaxing includereading, hiking (probably should get to knowBrother Rob Jones), traveling, keeping fit, andMasonry.Jonathan hopes to gain a greater understanding ofMasonry through education and later via leadership.His travels have taken him to other parts of the areaand country. He enjoys visiting other lodges to seehow they operate. Jonathan also enjoys meetingnew Masons and learning from them as well.He tries to observe the actions and views of notonly people in his vocation, but in Masonry as well.He looks forward to a long and enjoyable time withMasonry and the Consistory.Worshipful Brother Rob Jones is amember of

revealed in the Scottish Rite Degrees. Scottish Freemasonry is the foe of intolerance, fanaticism and superstition. It battles every form of racial and sectarian prejudice and bigotry. It is a mighty exponent of freedom in thought, religion and government. Thus, the Scottish Rite is a rite of instruction .”. In the beginning of the 32nd .