2014 Grand Oration By Honorable Bro. Owen Shieh
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” ~ Bro. Theodore Roosevelt
My brothers, as we celebrate the end of one Grand Masonic Year and usher in a new one, let us ponder those words from our late President and Brother, Teddy Roosevelt.
As Masons, we form the fabric of one of the greatest institutions in the history of the world. No other organization has succeeded in uniting men from all nations, sects, and creed with such genuine and sincere affection that transcends all divides. We all have friends at work, friends at school, friends who join us in recreational activities, but all those relationships are conditioned on a location or activity. But our relationship as Masons is different, for we are grounded on nothing more than our desire to improve ourselves, improve each other, and explore life through brotherly love, relief, and truth. So no matter where we go or what we do, we are and will always be – brothers.
But like all families, we may not always get along, particularly when our family is comprised of so many different people with so many different personalities! But remember, “it is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…”
This arena, my brothers, is none other than our very own lodge rooms. Furthermore, this lodge room is not just a physical place, but rather, is itself symbolic of our own minds. Many Masonic scholars have said that the lodge and its officers symbolize the components of our own hearts and consciences, and that the working tools are actually the implements for the work that we do on ourselves as Masons. Much like how the Great Temple was built by the hands of the workmen, it is up to each and every one of us to build our own house not made with hands. But because we share a unique bond as Masons, we can and should help each other with this task.
In the words of Albert Einstein, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” Indeed, service is the greatest of all the human virtues. And the great Cicero once said, “Honor is the reward of virtue.” So if service is the greatest virtue, and honor is the reward of virtue, then surely, as Masons, we should all serve with honor.
“Titles and fame do not determine the Mason. He who has truly found that which was lost and who has finished the unfinished work in his own sanctum sanctorum would not care for titles and names, for they cannot even come close to that glorious and magnificent feeling of joy and accomplishment that arises from the realization of true wisdom and a life well lived.”
At the beginning of this Grand Masonic Year, our Most Worshipful Frank M. Condello II asked each of us to serve with honor. Have we done this to the best of our ability? Have we truly carried out the charge that was given to us on the first night of our initiation? Have we sincerely searched within the deepest recesses of our own hearts and asked ourselves, “Have I been a good Mason? What can I do better? Have I stayed true to all of my obligations?” We may “come short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming,” but are we striving “to do the deeds” and spending ourselves “in a worthy cause?” Are our faces “marred by dust and sweat and blood?” Are we striving “valiantly” in our efforts to improve ourselves as men and as Masons?
Note that the focus here is on our own selves, not on our brother Masons! Our five senses may be directed outward, and we are often quick to point out the faults of our neighbors, but everything in lodge is asking us to do the opposite – to look inward. We are told, “Freemasonry regards no man for his worldly wealth or honors.” Thus, we must never forget that our fraternity is absolutely grounded on inward reflection and honest introspection, for that is the only place where true honor can be found. In the words of Brother Benjamin Franklin, “Honor, worthily obtained… is in its nature a personal thing, and incommunicable to any but those who had some share in obtaining it.” The father of our country, Brother George Washington, also acknowledged this by saying, “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” There is no truer form of honesty than to fearlessly reflect on our own weaknesses. By doing so, we strengthen our Craft. By doing so, we cultivate honor. By doing so, we prepare ourselves for the arena of life.
But we have no time to lose! Like the sand in this hourglass, each thought swiftly passes imperceptibly; day-by-day, second-by-second, time is slipping away. Are we making the most out of each moment as a Mason? Honor begins with each passing thought. To be honorable is to be thoughtful.
So today, as we gather here to celebrate our accomplishments as a Grand Lodge and to welcome our new Grand Lodge officers, let us remember that the titles we receive do not bring us the honor. Rather, it is our honor that brings value to the titles bestowed upon us. It is not the amount of time a man has been a Mason that matters; what matters most is the amount of attention he gives the symbols and the degree of devotion he dedicates to applying those lessons to his daily life. Titles and fame do not determine the Mason. He who has truly found that which was lost and who has finished the unfinished work in his own sanctum sanctorum would not care for titles and names, for they cannot even come close to that glorious and magnificent feeling of joy and accomplishment that arises from the realization of true wisdom and a life well lived. A person who leads by example does not need to win respect, for he naturally commands it through his actions framed in humility, understanding, and compassion.
And so, my brothers, with service as our means, introspection as our cornerstone, and brotherhood as our cement, may we continue to build that house not made with hands, to the honor of our great and timeless fraternity. The clock is ticking…
