February 25, 2025
March Master's Letter: “More Light!”
Calendar:
March
03/05/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
03/19/25 (Wed) Special: EA Degrees
03/17/25 (Mon) St. Patrick's Day
03/26/25 (Wed) Social: Master's Table
April
04/04/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
04/16/25 (Wed) FC Degree Practice
04/19/25 (Saturday.) FC Degrees - Detroit Masonic Temple 10am
04/23/25 (Wed) Social: Master's Table
04/30/25 (Wed) Special: EA Degrees
Brothers!
What an awesome month March is! Our Lodge enters this month strengthened by the addition of two newly-made Brothers; and that’s not all — we will be bringing to light two more candidates in this month’s special. In February I also represented AAF262 in a “Mason’s Night” event, a night of fellowship and brotherhood hosted by St. Mary’s Lodge #4 in Livonia cigar bar. Yes, I know - it was rather difficult, but someone had to do it…
Speaking of St. Mary’s: March, but more especially — March 2025, is a very special month for our Prince Hall Brothers: on March 6, 1775 Prince Hall was made a Master Mason in Irish Constitution Military Lodge No. 441. Congratulations on this 250th anniversary brothers! For us as Masons, his legacy is that of unrelenting struggle for equality, dedication to the craft, and a constant reminder that our core tenets of friendship, morality and brotherly love extend beyond any bounds of race or color.
As most things viewed in a Masonic way, I personally consider March as having 3 parts: my favorite part, my not-so-favorite part, and the let’s-not-forget part.
My favorite part of this month is the ushering in of more light. Literally. The Spring Equinox on March 20 is the time when light conquers darkness; the day overrules the night and becomes longer. Combining philosophy with my favorite instrument of physics — the pendulum — on that day the pendulum is at its lowest point and it now swings towards the light, leaving darkness behind. Viewed through Masonic eyes, the Equinox represents balance and harmony, as well as growth and renewal. The pendulum is perfectly plumb at its center point, and it now starts to move towards its furthest reach at the edge of that bounding circumscribing circle where one of the tangent parallel lines stands. Let us take this month as an opportunity for personal reflection and Masonic growth. As winter is being shed and we prepare for spring, let us shed idle burdens and make room for renewal; let us continue to seek balance within ourselves and in our relationships with others.
My not-so-favorite part of this month is the Ides of March. March 15th is a day of betrayal. It is an important and poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the consequences of betrayal. It is most famously tied to the assassination of Julius Caesar, but for us in Freemasonry, we cannot help drawing parallels to betrayal stories of our own. The Ides of March reminds us all of the importance of trust, loyalty, and vigilance. We vow to be true to our fellow Masons, yet we must be vigilant in protecting the sacred bonds we share and the principles upon which our Craft is built. Let’s try to get through that day without being stabbed.
Which brings me to the “hey, let’s not forget that part”: St. Patrick’s Day. Assuming we survive the Ides of March, March 17th will be a welcome transition from labor to refreshment. What is the connection between an Irish Bishop, a pagan-turned-Christian and Freemasonry? In March 17, 1780, while quartered at Morristown, NJ after a long winter of devastating fighting and losses, General George Washington recognized the urgent need for a moral boost and a respite from the ravages of war and winter. He issued a proclamation declaring March 17, 1780 a holiday for the Continental Army: “The General directs that all fatigue and working parties cease for tomorrow the seventeenth instant, a day held in particular regard by the people of Ireland.” That is one more thing for which we as Masons owe thanks to our very own General George Washington.
May the coming month bring us peace, happiness and a good Masonic fortune. More light cannot come soon enough.
With Brotherly Love,
WM Zevi Bareket