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cadfaelThe words of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, verses 1-8 teach me of balance in the universe. I may not be able to understand all of the aspects of the Divine. However, the first principle or law of the Divine is balance. In my mind, balance is among the most potent, powerful forces with ourselves as well as in nature.
As I stand in awe of the enormity and power of "creation", I am informed of two guiding principles: first, that I am obligated to know and worship the Divine, and secondly, that I am obligated to pursue the full enjoyment of life with the time that is given to me.
The implication in the remainder of the chapter, verses 9-22, is that God alone knows the time allotted to everything and is the ultimate judge. While I cannot accept that as a matter of faith, I can accept the notion that the Divine knows the time allotted to all things and will joyfully receive its energy, or soul to its bosom at the end of its days.
While most Masons may not agree with me, it is my understanding of Masonic philosophy that we Masons are profoundly in awe of the order and structure of the universe. That wonder is reflected in our rituals of opening and closing the Lodge, and certainly in the manner in which we confer our beautifully masculine degrees.
I have resonated to the truths contained in this song since I first heard it performed by Pete Seeger and by the Byrds during the 1960's. Yes, I am that old.
Turn, Turn, Turn
From the book of Ecclesiastes
Adapted and arranged by Pete Seeger, (performed also by the Byrds and others)
To everything turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
chorus: To everything, turn, turn, turn
A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing
chorus: To everything, turn, turn, turn
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace: I swear it¹s not too late!
chorus: To everything, turn, turn, turn
As I stand in awe of the enormity and power of "creation", I am informed of two guiding principles: first, that I am obligated to know and worship the Divine, and secondly, that I am obligated to pursue the full enjoyment of life with the time that is given to me.
The implication in the remainder of the chapter, verses 9-22, is that God alone knows the time allotted to everything and is the ultimate judge. While I cannot accept that as a matter of faith, I can accept the notion that the Divine knows the time allotted to all things and will joyfully receive its energy, or soul to its bosom at the end of its days.
While most Masons may not agree with me, it is my understanding of Masonic philosophy that we Masons are profoundly in awe of the order and structure of the universe. That wonder is reflected in our rituals of opening and closing the Lodge, and certainly in the manner in which we confer our beautifully masculine degrees.
I have resonated to the truths contained in this song since I first heard it performed by Pete Seeger and by the Byrds during the 1960's. Yes, I am that old.
Turn, Turn, Turn
From the book of Ecclesiastes
Adapted and arranged by Pete Seeger, (performed also by the Byrds and others)
To everything turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
chorus: To everything, turn, turn, turn
A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing
chorus: To everything, turn, turn, turn
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace: I swear it¹s not too late!
chorus: To everything, turn, turn, turn
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no subject
Date: 2004-10-17 04:42 pm (UTC)And I looked at your journal, this entry, and as you will see if you look in my journal today, I am taken aback by synchronicity.
For, as you will see, we have some things in common.
I was just talking today, to my brigade Chaplain, about commitment, and the freedom it gives, and the freedom that can come from being a servant, in a noble cause. And he directed me to look into the Servant Songs, in Isaiah. Specifically about the ending of the Babylonian captivity . . . and, here I am, living in Babylon.
I would also direct your attention to Job:
" 5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with
thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an
hireling, his day.
7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout
again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease."
Yes, there is a season for everything, and there is hope, in the order of the building of the universe. The Architect does not build capriciously, does She?
no subject
Date: 2004-10-17 07:31 pm (UTC)I understand that you are serving in the US Army in Iraq. I pray for your safe and speedy return to the world. I will try to connect with you when I bunk down tomorrow night.
Blessings!
no subject
Date: 2004-10-18 05:17 am (UTC)and saw something else we have in common.
"Toast of the Army, favorite son,
Here's to the brave, Big Red One.
Always the first to thirst for a fight,
No foe shall challenge our right to Vict'ry.
We take the field a grand sight to see,
Pride of the Infantry.
Men of a great Division,
Courage is our tradition,
Forward the Big Red One."
That patch is now on my right arm.
Everything comes round in circles, doesn't it?