Master's Letter February 2026

Brethren,

Sorry this Master's Letter is so late in coming to you. I swear I've already written a February Master's letter before ... maybe twice .

... anyway February is upon us. I always say it's the shortest month but it lasts the longest. No surprise then that I'm ready for Spring.

February teaches me the value of perseverance. Digging deep to find a way to sustain your sanity through a long cold winter. We're past the Summer Solstice, every day is getting longer, and March is nearby. This is the home stretch. Just have to push through. But then guess who saw his shadow.

It's so easy to look outside at the white and the gray and feel defeated. 

It helps to have something to focus on, and what could be better than brotherhood and charity?  As I mentioned in my last letter, joining the charity committee and/or planning charitable activities is an important and ultimately rewarding part of Masonry.

I'd like to increase our charitable works in our community. But there is something we should discuss first.

Did you know, the lodge spends more money than it collects on dues? You should, it's reflected in our budget and treasurer's report that you get every month. Luckily we're not incurring debt, but the money has to come from somewhere. Our lodge's investment portfolio's dividends have been subsidising the membership.

This by itself is not a bad thing, as long as it's an appropriate and sustainable amount. Unfortunately the current spend is not sustainable long term in part because of inflation pressures. It also puts a cap on how much charitable work we can do.

The last time we raised dues was in 2010, and that $150 is $225 in 2026 dollars. So at the February regular, I'm going to start a discussion on raising the dues, based on a recommendation from the lodge's Finance Committee.

If a motion is made, it'll have to lay over a month and be voted on at the March regular.

If you have questions or concerns I invite you to come to the meeting and let's talk about it.

This may or may not be a trick to raise attendance numbers. You'll have to be there to find out.

Calendar:

February 4th, Zal Gaz Grotto:  Regular Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm

February 18th, Zal Gaz Grotto: EA Degree Special Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm

February 25th, TBD Master's Table - 7pm

March 4th, Zal Gaz Grotto: Regular Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm

March 18th, Saline Lodge: FC Degree Special Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm

S&F,

Steven Moazami

Master's Letter January 2026

Brethren,

They say three is a magic number. They say good things come in threes. They say the third time's the charm. We’re embarking on a journey together, to really stress test if "they" know what they are talking about.
As I start my third year in the East, after not playing a major role for a while, you’re no doubt wondering, is he gonna phone it in? Well I have good news for you, I’m wondering the same thing.

I wonder will this be like Napoleon, returning from exile on the island of Elba to triumphantly lead the French, only to lose 100 days later at the battle of Waterloo?

I wonder will this be like Michael Jordan, returning from retirement in minor league baseball to triumphantly lead the Bulls to 3 more championships?

Hopefully it won’t be decided by height.

What you don’t have to wonder about is we're starting the year with a fine group of officers.

These newly installed brothers embody the idea that Freemasonry makes good men better. They're dedicating their time and effort to making this the best lodge in the world, and to make a difference in their community. And I’m looking forward to working with them to accomplish this.

But it doesn't end with just us officers! Please reach out to me if you'd like to be involved in any aspect. To join or start a committee, plan social events, anything that makes our lodge feel special to you. Because then it'll be special for all of us. We're especially going to need help for the charity committee! (Charity is part of another magic three)

Calendar:

January 7th, Zal Gaz Grotto: Regular Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm

January 17th, Ypsi Bourbon Fest: Bourbon & Brotherhood Night - 7pm - 9:30pm (see email)

January 21st, Zal Gaz Grotto:  FC Degree Special Communication -  Dinner 6pm, Degree 7pm

January 28th, Aubree's in Dexter: Master's Table

January 30th, Saline Lodge #133: MM Degree - St. Mary's #4, Dinner 6pm, Degree 7pm

S&F,

Steven Moazami, PM

Master’s Letter December 2025

December Master's Letter: “As the Curtain Is Drawn Closed”

Calendar:

December

12/03/25 (Wed) Regular Communication, Lodge of Sorrows
12/06/25 (Sat) Installation (Ceremony start time: 2pm)

Brothers,

That’s it. 

This is my last master's letter. It has been (almost) a full year, and it is time for a thankful reflection.

Above my desk, prominently displayed, two frames are hanging: one is “The Master’s Obligation” and the other is “Charges to the Worshipful Master.” Throughout this last year I often read and re-read them with reverence. Am I doing right by those who put their trust in me? Am I being steadfast with my obligation and my charge? Bro. Theodore Roosevelt said: "Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are”. I sure tried, and hopefully I mostly was. 

We met on the level, acted by the plumb, and parted on the square. As this year comes to a close, we can assuredly look at ourselves, and recognize that we employed our working tools to make us less of a rough ashlar than we were twelve months ago. We did it through the pursuit of Wisdom with illuminating educationals, improving the Strength of our Lodge by bringing to light, passing, and raising an impressive number of Brothers (3rd place in the last decade!), and adorn our Lodge with the Beauty of rituals and ceremonies. 

And it was all done thanks to YOU. This is a partial repetition of my November letter, but it is only because I cannot thank you enough for your support — physically and spiritually — during this year: the Past Masters for your wisdom and knowing that I can count on your help and support when needed; the officers, for going above and beyond, and your dedication and quality work that enhanced the beauty of our Lodge; and thank you Brothers for showing up in strength at our meetings.

I am looking forward to this coming year, to Steve’s year. I know that he will take the Lodge to new heights. 

On a lighter note, borrowing a title coined by Bill Engvall, I would like to leave you with my “Here’s Your Sign” list — ten signs that you are a Mason:

1. You don’t walk counter-clockwise

2. You adore furniture made of acacia

3. During religious services when you hear “Amen”, you involuntarily mutter “So Mote it be”

4. When you pass a car with a Square & Compass sign you always look at the driver with a hopeful stare

5. When you knock at people’s doors you expect a knock in return

6. If y cn rd ts, y mt b a M!

7. You think goats are funny

8. When your daughter’s new boyfriend comes to visit you meet him with the tip of a sharp instrument

9. You try to check out the rings on stranger’s fingers

Finally, I want to wish each and every one of you and your families — a happy, healthy, safe, and peaceful holiday season.

I love you.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Zevi Bareket

Worshipful Master

Master's Letter November 2025

November Master's Letter: “I am Thankful for…”

Calendar:

November

11/05/25 (Wed) Annual Communication and Election of Officers
11/19/25 (Wed) Service Night at the Grotto.
December

12/03/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
12/06/25 (Sat) Installation (tentative time: 2pm)

Brothers,

Welcome to November, the month of humility. This is a month of both inwards and outwards reflections: what do we feel we owe thanks and acknowledgements for? A month when ‘self’ should be viewed in the context of ‘other’ more than in any other month. 

On this thanks-giving month, let’s be thankful for being in a position that we can give by aiding and assisting our fellow men. Bro. Winston Churchill said "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give". Our partners of several years now at the “Hope Clinic” indicated that they are in a dire need of hygiene products. Accordingly, our Lodge bought about $1,400 worth of such supplies to be bagged and prepared for delivery in our next month special “Service Night at Grotto”. In addition and in the face of the looming stoppage of SNAP benefits, we are running a Food Drive. This is what food pantries are looking for: (*)

• Hearty soups (preferably canned)

• Canned meat (tuna and chicken)

• Peanut butter and other nut and seed butters

• Ready rice or lentil packets

• Meal in a can (ravioli, chili with meat) 

• Breakfast cereal

• Pasta and Pasta Sauce

• Spices and spice blends (low sodium)

• Condiments (mustard, ketchup, mayo, salad dressings) 

(*) All food must be unopened and unexpired, AND easy-open cans are much preferred to those requiring a can opener.

Inside the Grotto next to the door, there is a large box that is ready to receive food donations. It is easy: open your heart and your pocket, and when you go shopping get an extra bag with any of the items above; drop them off at the Grotto box by our next special on November 19. 

Going up a notch in specificities, this is the month to be thankful to those who serve and protect. Possibly one of the most overlooked holidays takes place on the 11th of November — Veteran’s Day. This date was chosen marking the end of World War I which took place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Originally named Armistice Day, it was later renamed Veterans Day in 1954. It is especially meaningful to our organization, as it is deeply imbued with patriotism: “That deeper patriotism which does not unfurl the flag on holidays alone or rattle the flashing saber in a menacing threat but rather that patriotism.” On this special day, I encourage each and every one to pause and give prayerful thanks for all those who have served this country. Especially those who made the supreme sacrifice so that we may continue to enjoy the liberties which they have secured for us with their lives. May God continue to bless and keep safe those who are defending us, wherever so dispersed.

And finally, on this next-to-last Master’s Letter, I want to go to the higher level of specificity and to thank you. Yes, YOU. My Brothers. 

Thank you for the trust you put in me in that sacred station in the East; thank you, officers, for going above and beyond and stepping up when needed; thank you for making me proud of your dedication and quality work; thank you Brothers for showing up at Lodge — figuratively and literally; thank you Past Masters for making me comfortable asking, and knowing that I can count on your help and support when needed. 

Thank you for helping me square my actions and for keeping me within due bounds with you, my Brother Masons.

Thank you.

In Friendship and Brotherly love,

Zevi Bareket

Worshipful Master

Master's Letter October 2025

“Light comes, and light goes, but the Light of Freemasonry never wanes.”

Calendar:

October

10/01/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
10/04/25 (Sat) “Boots on the Ground” Party at Zal Gaz
10/15/25 (Wed) Chili cookoff followed by Special: EA Degree
10/22/25 (Wed) Master’s Table: at Metzger’s
10/25/25 (Sat) Tailgate at James L. Crawford Elks — UM vs. MSU
10/29/25 (Wed) Special: MM Degree

November

11/05/25 (Wed) Annual Communication
11/19/25 (Wed) Lodge Service Night

Greetings, Brothers — and a very Happy 6025th Birthday, World!

Whaaat?? OK — I should be more precise — Happy 6029th birthday.

At this point, you’re probably shaking your heads: “Our WM has lost his marbles”…
But in the words of the legendary Lee Corso — “Not so fast, my friend!” 

Apparently, through detailed research and some literal interpretation of biblical sources, an Irish Archbishop named James Ussher (1581–1656) has calculated the creation date of the world to be October 23rd, 4004 BC. He called it “Anno Lucis”, the Latin phrase meaning "Year of Light”. We, as free and accepted masons, have adopted Ussher's calculations, but rounded 4004 BC to 4000 BC for simplicity; so depending on how accurate you want to be — you add 4000 or 4004 to the present common year 2025 AD (Anno Domini) and you get 6025 by masonic engineering approximation, or 6029 by Irish math accuracy.

While we can humorously comment on the four-year rounding error, we should not do the same regarding the name — “Anno Lucis”. The "Year of Light" symbolizes for us the moment of divine creation; the moment of "Let there be light”. A moment that is heavily pondered and inherently present in all three degrees. It is the moment when light came into the world, it is what we seek mostly. It is the idea that knowledge equates light, which most likely led Freemasonry to adopt Anno Lucis as the moment of creation. Not incidentally, the Hebrew calendar considers the creation of the world to be in 3760 BC, referred to as “Anno Mundi” (“Year of the World”). This 240 years difference between Anno Lucis and Anno Mundi is due to differences with the Gregorian Calendar presently in use.

Of course, we cannot think of this coming month without thinking of what is for some the best night of the year — Halloween. Rooted in Celtic tradition, this day marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter; it is the time when the divide between the worlds of the living and the dead becomes blurred, and the ghosts of the dead can return to earth. To the world, Halloween conjures images ranging from playful hilarity to mischief and superstition. But to us speculative masons, this thinning of the veil between light and dark serves as a reminder that we have the responsibility to maintain the balance and make sure that light — knowledge and morality — shine forth.

In the words of Br. Albert Pike:
"We must pass through the darkness, to reach the light.”

And what about the small cosmos of our Lodge? In addition to a flurry of social events, October is shaping to be our “Out with a Bang” month; this is our last degree-conferring month. We will bring into the light one candidate, and raise two brothers to the sublime degree of Master Mason. I trust that you are as proud as I am in this crafty work of our Lodge, and I hope to see many of you come to participate and support this work.

Because it takes a Lodge to advance the craft.

I wish all of you a Happy 6025! May the coming year truly be a Year of Light, we all need it!

In Friendship and Brotherly love,

Zevi Bareket

Worshipful Master

Master's Letter September 2025

September Master's Letter: “Gone the Summer's pomp and show,

 Autumn is waiting for the Winter's snow.”

Calendar:

September 

09/03/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
09/17/25 (Wed) Special: FC Degrees
09/27/25 (Fri) PM Roasting……>>>           

October

10/01/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
10/15/25 (Wed) Special: EA Degree
10/29/25 (Wed) Special: MM Degree

Brothers!

Holy Moly Guacamole - it is September already!

What does September bring? What does it mean to you? Religiously, it is a true interfaith month as it offers abundant worshipping opportunities to (almost) all - from the Islam Mawlid through Nayrouz and Michaelmas for (some) Christians, Navratri for the Hindus to the Jewish Rosh HaShana. Even Pagans, whose connection to Freemasonry has been much discussed in both Masonic and non-Masonic literature, have their day in September - Mabon.

Incidentally (or not…), this Mabon holiday is a celebration of something that is deeply connected to Masonic symbolism - the Autumn Equinox. In terms of our Masonic symbol — the circle and the two parallel lines — we are smack dab in the middle where the dot is between the two St. Johns; equilibrium between night and day, dark and light. We are getting deeper into the quiet season and stillness. Earth is in perfect balance between weaving light and dark together. Equilibrium, we need to remember, is always the point where things can, and often do change. It’s our time to meditate on what we have worked on in our Masonic journey, and make sure that such a change will be a change for the better.

We are here to make the world a better place; by the virtue of our tenet — Masonry is about "making good men better.” In the words of Brother Dr. Rudolf Steiner:

Transform yourself for the sake of the world.
Learn to practice thinking, feeling, sensing, and willing without egoism.
Let your work be the shadow that your I casts when it is shone upon by the flame of your higher self.

The other important Masonic date in September is Michaelmas (Feast of St. Michael). St. Michael is the archangel of the sun – overseeing earthly evolution. At Michaelmas we are to be reminded that the evolutionary task depends on the free and independent collaboration of human co-workers. It is not surprising that in the Waldorf schools, an anthroposophical educational system developed by Bro. Steiner which incorporates spiritual activity and intuitive thinking, Michaelmas is still celebrated as the second most important festival after Easter.

And our Lodge? How are we doing on tipping the balance towards the light? Well, here’s our year-so-far stats: we brought to light 6 new Brothers, we passed 4 Fellowcrafts, and raised 4 to the sublime degree of Master Mason. That should be considered pretty good work in anybody’s book. 

And we have more work to do. Degrees coming up, roasting of our much-appreciated, rare JPM — let’s make him well-done! 

Finally, what’s up with the KFC thing? 

So, as some of you know, we helped my older son move to Tallahassee to start his PhD at FSU. We arbitrarily picked an overnight stop at Corbin KY. In my search for wholesome nutritious dinner I found this larger-than-usual KFC store. Yum. Apparently, I landed right on the very first store where the Colonel started concocting his delicious recipe. In addition to the store, the place houses an impressive museum of KFC’s history. I then found out that Mr. Sanders was actually Brother Sanders, raised in Lodge No. 651 in Henryville, Indiana. “Colonel Harland David Sanders demonstrated the values of the fraternity throughout his life. He was relentlessly committed to perfecting his craft, a philanthropist who used his hard-earned success to create and fund charities.” 

Can you guess when he was born? That’s right - September 9, 1890… A September Mason! My Rosh HaShana festive meal this month will surely include some of Bro. Sanders legendary pieces.

I hope each and every one of you had a joyful and relaxing summer. I am really excited to get back to Lodge, and hopefully see many of you joining us in the spirit of Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly love

With the same,

Zevi Bareket

Worshipful Master

Past Master Roast of Dakota Legge

Come join us for a dignified night, where we take shots at the dignity of our newest Past Master Dakota Drake Legge. There will be a seven course dinner, cash bar, brothers saying horrible things about a friend, and quite the embarrassing slide show of pictures for everyone involved.

Event will be held at Genitti’s Hole in the Wall 108 E Main St Northville MI 48167

Tickets can be purchased through Zeffy open to Masons and Family only

Master's Letter June 2025

“Happy 308 Birthday!”

Calendar:

June

06/04/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
06/18/25 (Wed) Special: MM Degrees
06/27/25 (Fri) Festive Board, 7:30pm, Saline Lodge

Brothers!

Well, maybe not quite a birthday, it is more like “Exposé”: while Freemasonry secretly existed prior to that, this month 308 years ago, on June 24 1717, the first Grand Lodge in the world was formed. The Premier Grand Lodge was founded, the first of its kind anywhere in the world and the origins of the United Grand Lodge of England. Freemasonry came to light, and the world was better for it. 

We are smack dab in the middle of the year: June. My personal favorite as we welcome the warm days of late spring and summer. Our year is a swinging pendulum — from the shortest day of winter solstice to the longest one on June 21st — summer solstice. We as Masons can rejoice this month as our pendulum touches the circumscribing edge side of St. John the Baptist. The world around us opens up and blooms, just like it was closed and dark at the other pendulum extreme. The outer light shines bright just as we prepare to go dark; again — opposite to fall and winter when the outer light decreases while we return to lodge with an ever increasing brightness of the inner light. 

Mid-year reflection on our light spreading so far: we brought to light six new Brothers, passed four to Fellowcrafts (three in the Detroit Temple), raised two to the sublime degree of Master Mason, and expect to raise two more this month before going dark. I hope you are as proud as I am in our Lodge.

I would like to share an experience I had this last week. 

While in Kansas helping my son move back for the summer, we took the opportunity to visit the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. Among other areas, they did an exceptional job in conveying the horrific experiences and terrible human cost incurred in the trenches which spanned hundreds of miles from the Alps to the English Channel. One of the display areas was dedicated to “Trench Art”: while confined to the trenches and dugouts and during periods between battles, soldiers produced an array of items made from remnants such as discarded bullets and shell casings.  

One particular piece caught my eye:

It really hit me in an unexpected way and I could not stop thinking about that distressed Brother: did he survive? Was he lucky enough to be with fellow Brothers in that time of duress? Was he able to draw some support and inner strength from his Masonic journey in those grotesque surroundings? 

It was one of those “I wish I had a time machine” moments (but only if a round trip was guaranteed…)

This is the last Master letter before the summer. No worries - I am NOT going to sing “See You In September”; I know that I will see many of you beforehand. Nevertheless I wish you and yours a joyful and safe summer; Have a good time and remember to keep in the spirit of Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly love

With the same,

Zevi Bareket

Worshipful Master

Master's Letter May 2025

May Master's Letter: “May May Bring Us More Maysonry Light”

Calendar:

May

05/07/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
05/19-20/25 Grand Lodge: 2025 Annual Communication
05/21/25 (Wed) Special: EA Degrees
05/28/25 (Wed) Social: Master's Table — TBD

June

06/04/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
06/18/25 (Wed) Special: EA Degrees
06/25/25 (Wed) Social: Master's Table — TBD

Brothers!

What might May mean for us, Masons? The month of May is most universally associated with rebirth and rejuvenation, as growth and re-emergence of flowers and vegetation surround us. Our own beloved poet Brother Burns described the beauty of this month in his poem:

It was the charming month of May,
When all the flow'rs were fresh and gay. 

Joyful and merry when it enters, May leaves us on a very solemn note: Memorial Day. May is not just about blissful, charming and fresh rebirth, but it is also about anguished and painful death. For we are all born to die. 

It is worth noting the connection that we as Masons have to that special day. Brother John A. Logan (1826-1886), a Civil War General and later a leader of the Grand Army of the Republic (a fraternal organization of Union Army veterans), authored this Memorial Day Order:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

This led to the establishment of Memorial Day as a national holiday. Michigan, by the way, was the first state to make this an official state holiday.

And in between these two opposing points of May — the charming rebirth and the sorrow of death — we have the light of life laudable pursuit.

From the moment we receive the first light, we are in search of and desire for more light, and more light being the object of our search. We continually ascend and better ourselves by every onward step. 

In April we gave more light to three Brothers by helping them pass to Fellowcrafts. It was a memorable ceremony in the awe-inspiring grander of the Tudor room in the Detroit Masonic Temple; I really wish more of you were there…

I would like to take this opportunity, and shed more light onto some of the numerical symbolism that plays an important and significant role in both Masonry and the Hebrew tradition. In particular, the numbers 3, 5, and 7.

The total of 3, 5, and 7 is 15 which is a significant number in numerology and the Hebrew alphabet. 3, 5, and 7 eventually bring us to the place of perfection where the letter “G” illumine the mind and conscience of every God-fearing man. This number fifteen, represents in Hebrew numerology “Yah” - “יה” - which is the abridgment of God’s name as it appears in the Bible. The basic 9-digits “Magic Square” results in fifteen when three numbers are added, either way - perpendicularly, horizontally or diagonally:

4  9  2
3  5  7
8  1  6

The ancient Hebrews held this magic square in veneration, because the central number - 5 - represents the Hebrew letter “ה” which is another abridgment of God’s name; with that sacred character in the centre, the value fifteen (Yah, יה) becomes the constant resultant from every direction.

Moreover, the priestly benediction (in Hebrew, Numbers, 6:24) is a three-versed blessing which consists of fifteen words; the first verse has three words, the second has 5, and the last verse is comprised of seven words.

24. The LORD bless you and keep you;
25. The LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26. The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

(Yes, the word counts do not match the English version, but you’ll have to trust me that the Hebrew original is more efficient and uses only 3, 5, and 7 words in the above three verses respectively…)

Concluding reminders:

• While not part of our official trestle board, our Brothers from St. Mary’s Lodge #4 will be conducting an EA Degree at Saline Temple: 9:30 breakfast 10 am Gavel. I encourage you to attend (Regretfully, due to a happy & joyful event of my son’s graduation I will have to miss this).

• Please let me know if you have any opinions about the proposed amendments and resolutions for the upcoming Grand Lodge Session (see details in the Advanced Notice that was attached to the minutes of April Regular).

May the Fourth be with you, to be followed by the Revenge of the Fifth!

With Brotherly Love,

Zevi Bareket

Worshipful Master

Master's Letter April 2025

“Cherish the Moment”

Calendar:

April

04/04/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
04/16/25 (Wed) Special and FC Degree Practice
04/19/25 (Satur.) FC Degrees - Detroit Masonic Temple
04/23/25 (Wed) Social: Master's Table — TBD
04/30/25 (Wed) Special: EA Degrees

May

05/07/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
05/21/25 (Wed) Special: EA Degrees
05/28/25 (Wed) Social: Master's Table — TBD

Brothers!

It’s April! And since flowers are not really my thing — I wouldn’t mind if we skip the “April  Showers” part; I’m just aching to get outside, ride, and enjoy the warm(er) weather.  This is going to be a busy and exciting Masonic month for us. We are going back to the Detroit  Masonic Temple for multiple FC degrees on the 19th, and we will bring to light two EAs on the 5th  Wednesday of the month.  

I suspect that when May comes around we’ll be looking back asking “Wow, is April over so quickly?”  So at this point, I want to urge you to pace yourselves; busy as the coming days may be — make an  effort to pause and pay attention, live in the moment, cherish the time as the clock ticks forward.

“The past is history, the future is a mystery, but today is a gift, that's why it's called the present”. Many claim rights to this well-known saying, or at least for making it so popular. Personally I believe the credit should go to Winnie the Pooh; he certainly delivers it best. Winnie has this ability to enjoy the  moment. It’s inspiring to me and I wish I could be more like that; I find that we’re too obsessed by  what tomorrow will bring and too dragged down by yesterday’s events so  that we often miss the joy  that stares us right in the eyes.  

This desire to focus on the moment, and only on the moment, is best expressed in a prayer poem which I read recently:

Whatever happens. Whatever
what is is, is what
I want. Only that. But that.   (Galway Kinnell, 1927–2014)

Isn’t this a fantastic expression of a desire to only experience the very present, and only that present?

Being present and aware of the moment is one of the reasons I love being in Lodge: other than the  social part of dwelling pretentiously-free with my Brethren in a fraternally accepting atmosphere, the  ritual work makes me focus on the moment. When the door is closed it leaves behind the hustle and  bustle of everyday life and transports us into a ritual world requiring us to be focused and present. 

Cherish the moment, embrace life as it unfolds and tune into the small details.

“What day is it?”
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.

And finally, I want to remind you of our Brother Benjamin Franklin’s words: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”  The Ides of April is approaching fast; we can try and do our best to postpone death, but don’t mess with the IRS…

I look forward to seeing you during all 6 (six!) scheduled gatherings this month.

With Brotherly Love,

Zevi Bareket

Worshipful Master