Truth and tolerance-two pillars of Freemasonry-are often seen in tension, yet they are meant to stand together. One demands clarity, the other compassion. One seeks precision, the other embraces complexity. To hold both gently is not weakness; it is wisdom.
As Masons, we are charged to seek truth. We study symbols, history, and moral teachings. We are taught to be just, upright, and discerning. But truth, when wielded without care, can become a blade rather than a bridge. Tolerance asks us to temper truth with love. It reminds us that no man holds all light, and that even the most certain truths must be spoken with humility.
The compasses teach restraint. The square teaches fairness. Together, they form the emblem of our Craft—not one tool, but two, in balance. The square aligns us with truth, justice, and moral clarity. The compasses remind us to circumscribe our passions, to soften our judgments, and to embrace difference. To be truly Masonic is to use both—to speak truth, and to listen with tolerance.
To hold truth and tolerance gently means not weaponizing truth to win arguments or assert superiority. It means not diluting truth to avoid discomfort or disagreement. It means speaking with clarity, but also with kindness. Listening with openness, even when we disagree. It means recognizing that truth without tolerance becomes rigid, and tolerance without truth becomes hollow.
This week, ask yourself: When have I spoken truth too sharply? When have I tolerated something that deserved challenge? How can I better balance clarity and compassion in my Lodge, my family, my community?
Let us be builders of bridges, not battlements. Let us speak truth with love, and practice tolerance with integrity. For in holding both gently, we honor the Craft,and each other.
See You Next Tuesday.
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