The Knightly Virtues
God works in mysterious ways. But sometimes he hits you in the head to
get your attention. Here is how he struck me. At one of
the first meetings, I repeatedly asked "What does it mean to be a Mason?"
Receiving no feedback, I read a few papers about the basics of Freemasonry.
But two things came together to answer my question. The first was an
e-mail of the Seven Knightly Virtues from Chivalry Today. The second
was a stein from the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The
Seven Knightly Virtues: Courage
More than bravado or bluster, today’s knight in shining armor must have the
courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult,
tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved.
Justice
A knight in shining armor holds him- or herself to the highest standard of
behavior, and knows that "fudging" on the little rules weakens the fabric of
society for everyone.
Mercy
Words and attitudes can be painful weapons in the modern world, which is why
a knight in shining armor exercises mercy in his or her dealings with
others, creating a sense of peace and community, rather than engendering
hostility and antagonism.
Generosity
Sharing what’s valuable in life means not just giving away material goods,
but also time, attention, wisdom and energy — the things that create a
strong, rich and diverse community.
Faith
In the code of chivalry, "faith" means trust and integrity, and a knight in
shining armor is always faithful to his or her promises, no matter how big
or small they may be.
Nobility
Although this word is sometimes confused with "entitlement" or
"snobbishness," in the code of chivalry it conveys the importance of
upholding one’s convictions at all times, especially when no one else is
watching.
Hope
More than just a safety net in times of tragedy, hope is present every day
in a modern knight’s positive outlook and cheerful demeanor — the shining
armor that shields him or her, and inspires people all around.
Are these the virtues we strive to attain as Masons? I
would say yes. On the last weekend of the Renaissance
Festival, my family and I were enjoying the day shopping the vendors.
One had steins, which I love having. But this one jumped out at me.
On the front of the stein are the words "Knightly Virtues." Underneath
are the words: Faith, Hope, Charity, Truth, Justice, Temperance,
Prudence, Loyalty, Courage, Humility, Fortitude, Courtesy, Honor and
Nobility. Those are words we should strive to attain.
This is what makes us different from any other fraternity. We need
these. The world needs this. Let's start with us.
"What does it mean to be a Mason?" |