5th Masonic District MWPHGL State of New Jersey M.W. Thomas R. Hughes, Sr. Grand Master

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The 5th District Monthly   March 2010 M.W. Thomas R. Hughes, Sr 33º., Grand Master “No Cross, No Crown” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction Proverbs 1:7  REOBLIGATION AND REDEDICATION In the month of March, we center our thoughts around re-obligating and rededicating ourselves to this great fraternity.  Let us think for a moment about the definition of the word obligation. Webster defines it as “an act of binding ones self to do or not do something; a promise.”  When we were initiated, the easiest part of the obligation was taking it.  For those of us who have taken marriage vows, the more we love our partner, the easier it becomes to keep our obligation.  The more we love this Masonic fraternity, the easier it should be to keep our obligation.  It is one way that we as individuals can express our love.  Every obligation should be a solemn one.  Every obligation should be sincere.  Each one of us had to meet certain qualifications before we could become members.  As individuals, we traveled the same road, entered the same door, and received the same light.  We travel the same way and manner together, collectively.  We all kneeled at the alter and repeated our obligation but remember this…..No one can take this obligation for another.  Each of us made our own individual promise.  Each of us must keep our own obligation.  We pledged loyalty and promised to give and help our fellow man and especially a fellow brother.  We promised to be loyal and discreet.  Each part of our obligation can be beneficial to us and to others.  We promised nothing that can hurt us and a lot that can help. When we rededicate ourselves, we should begin with aspirants of a loftier way of thinking and behaving…..To consciously seek association with others of like ideals and principles….to lift ourselves to a higher spiritual understanding. When we allow our conscious to follow the Golden Rule and live our lives in and out of the Masonic order so that none can reproach, we are fulfilling all of our obligations as members of this fraternity, as children of a kind and just God, and as worth wile contributors to a better self, a better community, and a better world.