What is a good Mason?
Being a good Mason is much more than joining every Masonic fellowship and concordant body.
It is also more than wearing Masonic jewelry, trinkets, or adorning your personal property with every Masonic medallion or symbol there is. Masonic titles such as Worshipful, Very Worshipful, etc., also do not make a man a good Mason. They demonstrate tenure and endurance, and in some cases signify popularity, but alone, do not illustrate what a good Mason is. Nor is it about how well a man knows the esoteric teachings or ancient history. There is a lot of essential information contained within these topics. Possessing this knowledge can be an important part of a man’s journey from the West. The acquisition of this knowledge alone, does not make a man a good Mason, if he fails to apply it to his life.
Some tend to be more introspective and reverent in their practice of the Ancient Mysteries of Freemasonry. Still others do not attend Lodge at all but fulfill their journey through meditation and study. Neither of these make a man a good Mason without further application of the principles discussed below.
Conversely, none of these practices mentioned detract from what a good Mason is either. These are just ways to participate in or celebrate the Masonic experience and to proclaim one’s involvement or enthusiasm for our Craft.
What makes a good Mason is the way a man meets, acts, and parts.
We meet on the level, act by the plumb, and part upon the square. These are allegorical inferences to some of the most important symbols representing Freemasonry. When expanded, they could read like this:
Meet on the level: Meaning that we approach our interactions with honesty, and transparency. We give others due courtesy, and without prejudice (prejudice can be defined as a preconceived opinion not based on reason, or actual experience).
Act by the plumb: To walk uprightly. Is it enough to admonish other Masons to walk uprightly, to do the right thing? No, we must do the right thing ourselves. Doing the right thing sometimes means holding an unpopular opinion or it could be receiving or giving feedback. Doing what is right isn’t always comfortable. Doing the right thing can also be socially risky. Why hold such a high standard? Isn’t it easier to “go along to get along”? It may be, but can you live with that decision? Can Masonry?
Part upon the square: Meaning that we have treated each other with respect and have satisfied each other's needs in the interaction. One of the biggest struggles is to treat others with respect while being disrespected yourself.
As Masons, we are called to exemplify a higher standard and that entails being transparent, honorable, honest, and clement. Brethren, please bear in mind these generous principles extend beyond the fraternity, for all human beings have a claim upon our kind offices. This is what makes a good Mason.
Thankfully for all of us, this is a journey traveled where on this road are many opportunities to take a different path if the one you are on is not taking you where you want to go.