Brother seeker of enlightenment,

We have just completed study of the Twenty-third degree and will move on to the Twenty-fourth Degree in the Council of Kadosh at our next session which will be held on Wednesday Feb. 15th at 7:00 p.m. There will be dinner before this session at 6:30 with the class to follow. Even if you have not attended before each session is a separate degree so there is no need to feel that you have to had prior experience to enjoy the class. As before the resource material for this and all subsequent degrees is as listed below. It is suggested you bring your copy of “A Bridge to Light” to class and study the 24th degree beforehand at home. At the completion of the 32nd degree we will have a graduation ceremony for those brothers who have attended 50% or 15 sessions. With nine sessions remaining this gives you a good chance to catch up and qualify for this honor.

Important Symbols:

  • Grips of the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason
  • The five pointed star
  • The character Caleb
  • The lamp, cloak and staff

Lessons:

  • The power of faith
  • The soul is immortal
  • There is one true God who is pure, absolute intellect and existence
  • Labor incessantly for the glory of God, the honor of your country and the happiness of your brethren

Topics for Discussion:

  • What is the symbolism of the five pointed star or the pentagram?
  • Too often we are motivated by “good enough” to satisfy our selfish interests, rather than by what is best. Discuss Pike’s view on the nobility of human progress and how our highest objectives are served in a world that seems to place the highest value on moral relativism.
  • The average man thinks little, is unburdened by the uncertainties and complexities of life, experiences no agony of the spirit and thus on the surface has a kind of freedom. On the other hand the thinking man requires so much sacrifice, effort and labor. Discuss Masonry’s response to this apparent dilemma.
  • Discuss the balance and relation between faith and reason.
  • What is the essential nature of the Greater Mysteries?
  • “Initiation is a process intended to develop in the candidate those human qualities which are a part of the Divine.” What is initiation and its purpose?
  • Identify what the lamp, cloak and staff allude to in the Degree and what limitations result in man’s failure to attain these gifts?

Looking forward to an interesting and rewarding session,

Harry Eisenberg, 32° KCCH