EDUCATION

Freemasonry's primary focus should be Education. Lodges around the world have moved away from this. Spes Novum seeks to rekindle that original fire of educating good men, to make them better.

The Monthy Reflection

July

Corinthians and Amos

In the past 2 months, we have looked at 2 passages that are used in place of each other across various jurisdictions

Is there a material difference between these 2 passages?
In jurisdictions where Amos is used, how is the initiatic experience different?
How might you expect a jurisdiction using Corinthians to look/function differently on the whole?
If this selection is inconsequential, what are the consequential elements of the Masonic degrees?
Knowing that this difference exists, how do you square that against the prohibition of innovations within Masonry?

The Monthy Reflection

June

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

What is charity? Why is it more important to a man than understanding the mysteries or having “all faith”? How are you certain?
What does it mean that Saint Paul, the author, “spake, understood and thought as a child”?
When do you suppose Saint Paul became a man? What are markers of this transition? What childish things could you still “put away”?

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The Monthy Reflection

May

Amos 7:7-8

"7 Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. 8 And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said: “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel; I will not pass by them anymore."

What do you glean from this passage? What clues can we gather from the rest of the Book of the Prophet Amos?
Professor Abraham Heschel has this to say about Amos, “This seems to be Amos’ premise: God does not leave man in the dark.” (The Prophets). What similarities can you find between Amos’ Plumb and Masonic teachings about the Plumb?
Can you offer an example of a person you know who stands as a plumb line in the midst of God’s people?
How might your actions change if you envisioned yourself as the plumb line Amos sees?

The Monthy Reflection

March

Genesis 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. 18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Where else do we hear, “Bethel” in the Masonic context? What does it mean?
What places does the Lord dwell in? Can you think of places we often forget?
What do you think Jacob finds so "dreadful"?
What is the Masonic significance of Jacob’s ladder? Is it addressed in the larger context of the passage?

The Monthy Reflection

February

Genesis 1: 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

What happened In the beginning?
What does it mean that the Earth was without “Form and void?”
Did time exist before Earth?

2024

The 12 Labors of Hercules

By studying the 12 labors of Hercules, we will learn valuable lessons about perseverance, courage, responsibility, self-discipline, moral integrity, personal growth, knowledge, excellence, collaboration, and various other qualities and values that can guide us on our own life journeys. Many of these are echoed in the cardinal virtues and tenets of Freemasonry. 2024 is the year of diving into the world of Greek mythology and seeking the lessons contained within, comparing them with what is also taught in other Wisdom Schools.

Past Education Themes

Each year, Spes Novum Masonic Lodge has an Education theme that is explored. Through various books, activities, films, and more, our members contemplate the various elements, comparing and contrasting with what they already know, and what these things can teach them in their life today, aiding in their spiritual development. Below is a listing of themes that have been covered in prior years.