SADDLEBACK LAGUNA LODGE

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1 SADDLEBACK LAGUNA LODGE No. 672 F.&A.M. JUST A LITTLE PATIENCE TOM GRUENBECK Worshipful Master THE MYSTIC MASON KENNETH BENNETT Senior Warden AN ILLUMINATING PATH JOHN GRACE Junior Warden Who can rest until the moment of action? Tao Te Ching MASTER S TRESTLEBOARD MAY 2018 Saddleback Laguna Lodge No.672 F. & A.M. Grand Master of Masons of California Bruce R. Galloway Page 1

2 Master s Note Message from the East enim, patientia virtus (patience is the greatest virtue). Patience is a virtue is also a proverbial phrase referring to one of the seven heavenly virtues typically said to date back to Psychomachia, an epic poem written in the fifth century. This virtue is one among a number of other sets of virtues, including The Seven Contrary Virtues, which are specific opposites to the Seven Deadly Sins: speak. Remember, sometimes we are impatient with others though we do not know their entire story. Take the time to know your friends well. Don t make assumptions and remember showing some patience to them now will encourage them to be patient with you sometime in the future. By the Square, Tom Gruenbeck Tom Gruenbeck master@saddlebacklaguna672.org Just a Little Patience No, I am not going to tie a red bandana around my head and demonstrate my best (or worst) Axel Rose impersonation. However, I am going to discuss with you the importance of patience. Being stress free and happy helps us stay healthier. Patience is an important tool in overcoming frustration. Patience allows us to suspend judgment long enough to make informed decisions, thus paving the path to a happy and peaceful life. We hear this word come up in overused expressions, such as Patience is a virtue. But where did it come from? The first known recording of this expression is in Piers Plowman, a narrative poem believed to have been written by William Langland between 1360 and It is similar to the Latin expression, maxima Humility against pride Kindness against envy Abstinence against gluttony Chastity against lust Patience against anger Liberality against greed and Diligence against sloth. As we focus on patience, we find this virtue is different from the others in one peculiar sense, in that this virtue requires us to do absolutely nothing to demonstrate it. It literally means wait, do nothing, procrastinate, delay, etc. What a perfect virtue! We can show patience by not doing a single thing but waiting. So let s give it a try, shall we? 1. Take a day where you make patience your goal for the entire day. Make a concerted effort to take your time and think about everything you do, be mindful and live in the moment. 2. Slow down. 3. Practice delaying gratification. 4. Practice thinking before you Page 2

3 Senior Warden s Note Message from the West Kenneth Bennett seniorwarden@saddlebacklaguna672.org The Mystic Mason In the The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, Brother Manley Palmer Hall ( ) urges all Brothers to be Mystic Masons and to think deeply about what we are called to be and to do as Freemasons. He cautions us to refrain from viewing our Fraternity as a mere social order, and admonishes those who would enter our Brotherhood in search of prestige, material gain or other vanities. Freemasonry is not a material thing, he writes, it is a science of the soul; it is not a creed or doctrine but a universal expression of the Divine Wisdom. The history of the Fraternity, the formal ceremonies of our rituals and traditions, even our symbols and allegories, are secondary to the true origin and purpose of the Craft. Masonry, he writes, does not deal with personalities. In its highest sense, it is neither historical nor archaeological, but is a divine symbolic language perpetuating under certain concrete symbols the sacred mysteries of the ancients. Only those who see in it a cosmic study, a life work, a divine inspiration to better thinking, better feeling, and better living, with the spiritual attainment of enlightenment as the end, and with the daily life of the true Mason as the means, have gained even the slightest insight into the true mysteries of the ancient rites. The Mystic Mason therefore understands that the Craft is really a tool for breaking out of the worldly prison of matter, form and ignorance, and into the transcendent light of spiritual Truth. The Mystic Mason knows that the Universe is our universal Lodge and that the Brotherhood consists of all living things in Nature. He knows that the same energy and power that drives and keeps the order of solar systems and sub-atomic particles is also coursing through man. This energy and power within us can be creative or destructive, depending on our mastery of self. As Hall writes, The use and abuse of energy is the keynote to the Masonic legend; in fact, it is the key to all things in Nature. Energy is the vibrant space which is the essence of all things, and the solving of the mystery of energy is what Hall calls the great problem of Masonry. The foundation for solving this great problem is laid out in the three degrees of Freemasonry. When understood mystically, these degrees are the keys to the Ancient Wisdom, and guide the Mason on a soul journey toward self-mastery of thought, emotion, and action, and purity of life. Hall makes it clear however that going through the degrees alone is not sufficient. The daily practice of Masonry is a lifelong labor for the true Mystic Mason. The Mason who feels holier than his fellow man has raised a barrier around himself through which no light can pass, for the one who in truth is the greatest is the servant of all The time has come when the world needs the Ancient Wisdom as never before. Let the Mason stand forth and by living the doctrines which he preaches show to his brother man the glory of his work. Now is the time, my Brothers, to truly labor at our Craft. Now is the time to live out the universal Mysteries of our respective faiths. Through the continual practice of self-mastery and the search for Truth, the Mystic Mason discovers the Light of God shining from within himself, and in the resulting desire to serve his fellow man and the world, illuminates the darkness of ignorance and reveals the path to the Temple where God dwells. On the Level, Kenneth Bennett Page 3

4 Message from the South John Grace An Illuminating Path Having recently returned from an adventure abroad, I can confirm that tourism continues to thrive. The airports and train stations in Europe are filled with travelers, toting backpacks and suitcases of various shapes and sizes, all moving forward to their next destination. Same for the bus stations. Whether on a long trip or short hop, people are clearly on the move. When we travel, my family and I typically start by exploring our new surroundings. With a map or guidebook in hand, we ll leave the hotel or apartment behind, and venture off in search of local treasures. Quite often, we ll wander into a place of worship. Such places often contain priceless works of art, ancient artifacts, and countless sources of light. Multi-hued sunlight streaming through stained glass and soft candlelight, to name Junior Warden s Note two visible types, often have an inspirational and calming effect. To sit and view the work of the builders and artists offers another, more spiritual opportunity. In the case of Italy, the churches and other structures are a living tribute to the work of stonemasons. While some locations have been rebuilt after World War II or environmental damage, others are still remarkably close to their original state. The artistry, not to mention the soaring size, of the columns and arches are nothing less than mind-bending. To view colorful stone that has been cut, polished and carefully positioned is a genuine feast for the eye. From the smallest detail to the grandest edifice, the legacy of masons past endures. To accomplish such work must have been difficult and challenging, but the problem-solving techniques of the Renaissance artisans was impressive. Consider the Sistine Chapel and innovation of Michelangelo. Commissioned by Pope Julius II to revamp the ceiling, the young artist faced a number of immediate and pressing issues. The small church (with a starry, nondescript canopy) was used by the faithful, and could not be closed for the project. As a result, Michelangelo had to develop a unique scaffolding system that would allow for painting the ceiling in stages without impacting the services below. He also needed to create a special plaster for the frescoes which allowed him to adorn the wet material with biblical images. Pressure by the Pope to finish the work was constant, as was the physical strain of painting in near-darkness from an awkward standing position. After four years, the obstacles were overcome, and the masterpiece was finished. All of this was accomplished by a man who considered himself a sculptor, not a painter. In art, in architecture, in faith, the work of the inspired lives on. By the Plumb, John J. Grace Allegory of Geometry by Nicola Giolfino; Museo di Castelvecchio in Verona, Italy Page 4

5 Masonic Education Night Those that were able to join us on Thursday night got to enjoy an epic presentation by Most Worshipful John Heisner. This event was open to the public and broadcast live onfacebook with a 360 degree camera! For those that missed it, you can watch it again on our Facebook page. Just click here to watch it: Don t forget to come visit us on Facebook, and come to Lodge for dinner on Thursdays too! We hope to see you soon. If you have any suggestions, comments, or requested topics, please send us an master@saddlebacklaguna672.org Saddleback Laguna Lodge No. 672 Education Nights Presents The Ancient Landmarks: A Grand Master s Working Tools Most Worshipful John Heisner Past Grand Master of Masons of California Thursday, May 17th, 2018 Dinner at 6 PM Presentation at 7 PM Open to the Public Guests Welcome Page 5

6 Friendly neighbors. Great food. Beautiful views. Acacia Creek Retirement Community, next to the Masonic Home at Union City, is full of life. From high-end fitness facilities to fine dining experiences, on-campus programs and classes, cultural excursions, and upscale amenities, you'll find everything you need and more to age successfully! acaciacreek.org (877) RCFE # COA #246 Page 6

7 Upcoming Events DAY DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION Thursday 5/17 6:00 PM Masonic Education Night Saddleback Laguna Lodge The Ancient Landmarks: A Grand Master s Working Tools Most Worshipful John Heisner Wednesday 5/23 7:30 PM Hamilton Sergerstrom Center for the Arts Thursday 5/24 7:00 PM 3rd Degree Meeting Saddleback Laguna Lodge Thursday 5/24 6:00 PM DeMolay Movie Night - Han Solo Contact Bro. Bob Feldtz Thursday 5/31 7:00 PM 2nd Degree Meeting Saddleback Laguna Lodge Monday 6/4 6:30 PM Officer School of Instruction - 901st District Saddleback Laguna Lodge Thursday 6/7 7:00 PM Stated Meeting Saddleback Laguna Lodge Past Masters (Living Members) Donald G. Mc Myne 1976 Leonard L. Todd Sr., 1981 George H. Claude 1985 Lyle J. Robertson 1987 Frederick H. Baribeault 1991 Steven J. Frogue 1996 James T. Brown 1998 James T. Brown 1999 Frederick H. Baribeault 2000 Joseph H. Stout III 2001 Gary L. Peterson 2002 Scott E. Preston 2003 Tuoc K. Pham 2004 Joe J. Suarez 2005 Wil B. Garcia 2006 Erich Kreidler 2007 Erich Kreidler 2008 Jerad M. Schulte 2009 Steven Bass 2010 Gary C. Silverman 2011 Eric Hanan 2012 Peter C. Lofthouse 2013 Jack C. Hennings Jr Russ Hennings 2015 Jason Petz 2016 Kenneth Bennett 2017 Related Organizations Saddleback Laguna Masonic Hall Association Meets 1st Thursday of the Month Jack Hennings (949) Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. 524 Meets 3rd Monday of the Month Elizabeth Lopez (949) Rainbow for Girls, Infinity Assembly No. 261 Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday Barbara Okin (949) Lake Forest DeMolay Meets 2nd and 4th Monday of the month Don Schremp (949) Irvine Valley Lodge #671 Meets every Tuesday Michael Neben (949) Inspector of the 901st Masonic District Worshipful Russ E. Hennings Meetings Every Thursday Birtcher Drive, Lake Forest, CA Page 7

8 2018 Officers of the Lodge Worshipful Master Tom Gruenbeck Senior Warden Wor. Kenneth Bennett Junior Warden John Grace Treasurer Chase Geiser Secretary Bob Feldtz Chaplain David Hansch Senior Deacon Michael Ballou Junior Deacon Chuck Chiodo Marshal Sean Gorman Senior Steward Paulbryan Dato Junior Steward Diego Sanmiquel Tiler Wor. Jack Hennings Organist Wes Miller Page 8