38 - Pen vs Chisel
As another Mass approaches, I want to share something that struck a chord with me recently. I came across a quote that really resonated:
"It's easier to write ten philosophy books than to apply a single principle in life."
As I write this, the message is not lost. I often feel when speaking the Holy Word and bringing you these Interludes, that the difficulty of bringing the message pales in comparison to the difficulty of actually undertaking and doing the thing. The doing is tantamount to chiseling stone, cutting the mountain’s mighty face. By comparison, pontificating is a breeze.
It is precisely the difficulty that explains why we must strive to better ourselves. If these tasks were at all simple, there would be no need for the Temple to congregate as we do. We would already be ascended; our society would be in a far better place than it currently sits. While reasonable people can disagree, the general vibe out there in the broader world is very much strained. There are frictions and difficulties, and things could definitely stand to be improved.
This is why we’re here. We see things that could improve, we see the better way. While we cannot control the actions of others, we can control our own actions, and that is our modus operandi. This is The Way.
As always, the Keystones remind us of this. Top to bottom, the First Keystone – Strive to be efficient, competent and autonomous, invites us to take action and undertake this most difficult application of principles to our lives. There is no other path to meet this Keystone, other than through effort, grit and gumption.
The Second Keystone reminds us that we are all fallible like everyone else and begs us to be ready to admit and forgive wrongdoing. The former half of this Keystone is the reminder of how tough this task is. We are all fallible, or in other words: this is not easy for any of us. Precisely why we must endure.
Even the Fifth Keystone, while inviting us to seek and follow our calling in life, actually appeals to us to this most difficult application of principles. Our goals, our dreams and our callings are, at least partially, aspirational in nature. We are striving to get better and be better, to reach a higher plane. This, unequivocally, cannot be done easily. This is not something that is accomplished overnight. This takes hard work and determination, an iron will and a lion’s heart, willing and able to withstand a cannonade of adversity. Whether these are true weights, working against you, or on the other end of the spectrum, mere stagnation or ennui holding you back – this is what must be fought against.
Remember this as you meet with your friends and loved ones on this Mass. Remember it, and ask them to enjoin the fight. Your bond, and the community you forge will be your greatest asset.
