There is nothing in your article that discusses the recognition and personal deciphering of allegories. There are many Masons who have memorized the ritual (especially grand officers) but have no clue of the allegories or their meaning. Very few of these accomplished Masons can even answer the basic questions like, “Why in the second section of the third degree did you represent an architect?” Or, “If you represent the architect, what does he represent?” Or, “Where outside of the lodge room does one use the substitute word?” Or in the second section of the second degree, “If you stand next to Jachin and Boaz and step forward, into what are you walking?” It’s questions like these that get at the heart of our ritual and bring about real change.
There is nothing in your article that discusses the recognition and personal deciphering of allegories. There are many Masons who have memorized the ritual (especially grand officers) but have no clue of the allegories or their meaning. Very few of these accomplished Masons can even answer the basic questions like, “Why in the second section of the third degree did you represent an architect?” Or, “If you represent the architect, what does he represent?” Or, “Where outside of the lodge room does one use the substitute word?” Or in the second section of the second degree, “If you stand next to Jachin and Boaz and step forward, into what are you walking?” It’s questions like these that get at the heart of our ritual and bring about real change.
That’s correct and intentional. Please do share how these kinds of questions get to the heart of the ritual and bring about change.