Last night a group of men gathered in a building. Handshakes were had. Good to see you’s were said. They pulled up chairs, grabbed a water from the fridge or poured a cup of coffee, some kicked off their shoes, and settled in for a night of discussion.

This could have played out anywhere men gather but last night these men gathered in a Masonic Temple. There was no degree work to be seen or a stated meeting to attend. Though the trestleboard was blank, the work continued.

Each man in the room was given time to talk about how his previous week had been. Had it been good? Had something unseen come out of nowhere and left him stressed or hurt? Was work crazy? Did he and his wife enjoy their date night? Sometimes a brother just needed to get the weight of the world off his chest. Other times a brother just wanted to say that life was great and that trick knee wasn’t hurting. It felt good to talk about these things. It felt good to have brothers who cared, listen. The newer members of this group were learning this.

After each brother had had his say a familiar prayer was said before the meeting began in earnest;

“Vouchsafe Thine aid, Almighty Father of the Universe, to this our present convention and grant that these men for Masonry may dedicate and devote their lives to Thy service and become a true and faithful brother among us…”

So mote it be.

A topic was put forth to the group. Last night the discussion centered around those three important questions every man must answer in the affirmative before his initiation can begin. Not something many brothers re-visit after their Entered Apprentice degree unless, in Indiana, they’re acting as the Senior Deacon or sitting as the Master of the Lodge.

When one of the three questions were asked, the brothers in the room had to think back to how he felt hearing those words spoken by a man wearing an apron, holding a staff. Some brothers only had to think back weeks. Some, decades. Each brother described his feelings at that time. Nervous, excited, maybe even some trepidation about the unknown. As each of the three important questions were asked more discussion happened. More questions were raised as to why certain phrases like, “the mysteries of Masonry” were used. Over time and with these nights full of questions and discussions a better understanding of the ritual happens. When a brother understands the ritual and can start to grasp some of the allegory and symbolism of the work his Masonic experience is enhanced. A lodge is no longer a building a man might visit once or twice a month, but a place that feels like a part of him. He’s not just repeating words. They have weight to them. They truly become inculcated into that man’s life. He realizes that there’s a reason and a purpose to everything in Freemasonry.

As one hour became two and the discussion around the room showed little sign of abating, it was decided that the meeting should be wrapped up for the brothers who had families to return to and work in the morning. By the look on the brother’s faces you could see that a great thing had happened. Brothers from all walks of life were able to be introspective about some of their first memories of this great fraternity. Last night, men learned a little more about themselves. Last night the conversation went deeper than it does in the outside world. There were real, tangible things that came out of it. Last night, Masonry happened.