By J. Rafisura —Junior Warden
Autumn is here and pretty soon, Winter will be upon us. Cold mornings, breezy and rainy days, and gloomy skies are starting to creep in. As the Pandemic continues to wreak havoc into our way of living, it is, once again, time to hunker down as cases have been reported to go up in our area, as expected. After the “fire” season, here comes Fall – the beginning of the end of the cycle. Leaves start to drop and adorn the ground – orange, red, yellow….as they glow dead above the frigid cold ground.
But such is the cycle of life! In this mortal world, nothing lasts forever. However, as mentioned, it is a cycle of life…the end may really be not the end-end. But there is a time for everything. We read from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:
To every thing there is a season,
And a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time of war and a time of peace.
Brethren, as the cycle of life goes on, I wish everyone a peaceful and meaningful Holidays. As of this writing, Thanksgiving Day is coming up. Soon it will be Christmas and New Years Day! So much to look forward to! We also know that these too shall pass, the holiday excitement dies down and so we begin again to anticipate the next.
As I get back studying my proficiency (again) for next year’s “officership”, I am reminded how our ancient craft is trying to teach us about our preparations here in this world for the ultimate admittance to the Celestial Lodge above. We do things in cycles, experience various feelings in cycles, learn in cycles. We learn by repetition and by these cycles, we are continually taught about mastery of life so that when the time comes, we are well truly prepared, duly qualified and well proficient. Again, it is an honor be able to stay in my chair for next year…a time to be still, and a time to move forward. These are times to be still. But this too shall pass. We will again move forward and the cycle will begin again.
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