A Network of Relief
By D.L. Gibson, P.M.

We have heard it said many times that Freemasonry is not about networking. We don’t come to Lodge to grow our business, get referrals or make money. While we are not the Rotary club , Masonry is itself a network. The degrees of Masonry connect our spiritual, mental, and physical natures. When we invest in the inner spiritual work and express it through physical action, we offer the world a glimpse of the divine in humanity.

As we walk down our chosen spiritual paths, we need an awareness of the material world around us so we can prevent ourselves from becoming disoriented and knocked off balance. A spiritual walk becomes an existential accident if you’re not watching where you’re going and observing what’s around you.

Our lodge allows us an opportunity to orient ourselves by practicing awareness and care for our fellow creatures as we work on our stone.

Our Masonic teachings instruct us to work on ourselves together. We cannot directly shape another man’s stone, but we can notice his work and, most importantly, provide him relief when he needs it.

While we are working on ourselves, how can we relieve another brother?

We need to stop focusing on ourselves so much. If self development is not tempered, it becomes a selfish pursuit. The reason we are improving ourselves is so we can better serve the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.

If you stare at your own stone long enough, your vision will become unfocused. We must look away from our individual work occasionally and look toward our brothers as they work so we can check in on them and acknowledge their well being. You cannot fly to the relief of a brother if you are not looking for the necessary signs.

We can offer refreshment. Sometimes the Work becomes too much. We have the power to pull a brother aside and have a conversation with him. We can reach out and connect as men over refreshment and return stronger and more energized when the Work resumes.

We can acknowledge the positive changes that we have observed in our brethren. “You’ve made a lot of progress on your proficiency,” or “I love the way you do that part in the degree,” or “I’m glad that you’re a part of our Lodge,” can go a long way towards filling a Brother’s Masonic cup.

We can share our own experiences. One of the greatest benefits in Masonry comes when Brothers share the wisdom of their struggles and successes. When we see a Brother struggling, we can share an anecdote about when we had a similar struggle, what we did, and how it worked out. This is not giving unsolicited advice. It’s sharing what we have learned. Sharing our knowledge is integral to every brother’s growth in Masonry.

You are called to pick up your working tools and chisel away at your stone, but you are also encouraged to talk to your brother as you make progress and check on him as he does his work. It is our duty as Masons to relieve our distressed brothers. When you provide relief through brotherly love, you discover the truth of Masonry: we can’t do it alone.