Address of R.W. Bro. Michael Grima
on His Official Visit to Unity Lodge No. 376,
February 09, 2011

 “THE PURPOSE OF LIFE"

What is the purpose of life? In the "General Charge" It is said that we have but one aim, to please each other and unite in the grand design of being happy, and communicating that happiness.

Whatever country or society people live in, they all have the same deep desire: to be happy.

Yet, there are few ideals as difficult to grasp as that of happiness. In our daily life we constantly experience happiness and unhappiness, but we are still quite ignorant as to what happiness really is.

Happiness is not a life without problems, but rather the strength to overcome the problems that come our way. There is no such thing as a “problem-free life”; difficulties are unavoidable. But how we experience and react to our problems depends on us.

In our daily lives we often meet a man who displays all the characteristics of a Mason, but is not a member of the fraternity. On the other hand, there are a few members in our lodges that, defined by there actions, are not Masons. Private piques and quarrels continue to disturb and fracture the fraternal environment in some lodges. When differences arise between brethren, as they inevitably do, rather than attempting to settle them amicably as gentlemen ought, the widespread airing of grievances only serves to divide the lodge into warring factions.

The obligations, charges, and lectures of our Ritual set a high standard of behaviour. Do we fully understand what we say on the floor of the lodge? Do we mean what we say? More to the point, do we practice what we preach? It has been said that every man who kneels at the Altar of Freemasonry, rises a different man. A true Mason plays the game of life according to different rules, both within and without the confines of the lodge room.

Brotherly love is the first of our fundamental principles. Read again the Summery of Ancient Charges and pause to consider the admonition to avoid “private piques and quarrels.” Listen carefully to the definition of the “Ideal of a Freemason” contained in the General Charge.

Freemasonry, through the allegory derived from the immovable jewels teaches to keep building our Masonic Temples by improving ourselves. The perfect ashlar is by definition, the symbol of an unattainable ideal- the eternal quest of every Mason to live a better happier life, we are each responsible for our own happiness or unhappiness. Our vitality - the amount of energy or "life-force" we have - is in fact the single most important factor in determining whether or not we are happy.

Wealth does not necessarily bring happiness, the more money you have, the more problems you will find, or will find you. Health is worth more than money, for, it doesn't matter how much money you have, if you do not have health you can not be happy.

True happiness is to be found within, in the state of our hearts. It does not exist on the far side of some distant mountains. It is within you, yourself. However much you try, you can never run away from yourself. And if you are weak, suffering will follow you wherever you go. You will never find happiness if you don't challenge your weaknesses and change yourself from within.

The challenges we face in life can be compared to a tall mountain rising before a mountain climber. For someone who has not trained properly, whose muscles and reflexes are weak and slow, every inch of the climb will be filled with terror and pain. The exact same climb, however, will be a thrilling journey for someone who is prepared, whose legs and arms have been strengthened by constant training. With each step forward or up, beautiful new views will come into sight.

So is it with our Ritual, I have done much visiting during and before my term as DDGM, and I have seen much improvement in the quality of work done in some of the various lodges in our District. It is a distinct pleasure to see the work of the evening done well, weather it's a Degree or just Openings and Closings. You can see it in the eyes of the officers, feel their enthusiasm and their happiness. They are proud of themselves for a job well done.

There are two kinds of happiness - "relative" and "absolute" . Relative happiness is a blissfulness that depends on things outside of ourselves: friends and family, surroundings, the size of our home or family income.

This is what we feel when a desire is fulfilled, or something we have longed for is obtained. While this happiness is certainly real, the fact is that none of it lasts forever. Things change. People change. This kind of happiness shatters easily when external conditions alter.

Absolute happiness, on the other hand, is something we must find from within. It means, establishing a state of life in which we are never defeated by trials and where just being alive is a source of great joy. This persists no matter what we might be lacking, or what might happen around us. A deep sense of joy is something which can only exist in the innermost reaches of our life, and which cannot be destroyed by any external forces. It is eternal and therefore inexhaustible.

This kind of satisfaction is only to be found in consistent and repeated effort, so that we can say, "Today again, I did my very best. Today again, I have no regrets. Today again, I did well." The collected result of such efforts is a life of great success.

What we should compare is not ourselves against others. We should compare who we are today against who we were yesterday, who we are today against who we will be tomorrow. While this may seem simple and obvious, true happiness is found in a life of constant advancement. And the same worries that could have made us miserable can actually be a source of growth when we approach them with courage and wisdom.

Brethren, it is my personal belief that the happiest of people aren't necessarily those who have the best of everything, but those who make the best of everything they have.

The source of happiness and satisfaction cannot be found by exploring the world, or the stars beyond, but by exploring deep within ourselves, seeking, as our Third Degree ritual points out, “That vital and immortal principle”. This wisdom has long been nurtured within Masonic tradition. It demonstrates the importance of this tradition for it carries, and teaches, a wisdom which exceeds the years, and which can speak to us now just as it did to Freemasons long ago.

Masonry still follows the ancient manner of teaching. Her ceremonies are like the ancient mystic shows, not the reading of an essay, but the opening of a problem requiring research. Her symbols are the instruction she gives. The lectures are endeavours, often partial and one-sided, to interpret these symbols.

He who would become an accomplished Mason must not be content merely to hear, or even to understand, the lectures; he must, aided by them, and they having, as it were, marked out the way for him to study, interpret, and develop these symbols for himself.

In closing brethren, our ancient Ritual is of the utmost importance to establishing happiness within ourselves, but it is not enough to be able to recite the charges and lectures 'word perfect' We must not only understand what we say on the floor of the lodge, we must believe and practice the excellent precepts those charges and lectures contain.

Do we understand the meaning of what we say? Do we practice what we preach -both within and without the tyled recesses of the lodge? Ask yourself, 'What is my purpose of attending lodge?'

Brethren, for your warm hospitality, the fine banquet and your friendship, I thank you.