Our constitution demands the mandatory presence and opening of a Volume of the Holy Law in every regular, well-formed, and constituted lodge when it is working, thereby assigning it the character of ‘just.’
As we progress, our beautiful ritual teaches us to direct our attention to the mandates contained in that Sacred Book.
We can appreciate in our ceremonies a considerable load of biblical allegories that instil in us noble principles of piety and virtue.
In the initiation ceremony, the first thing that amazes the candidate upon regaining material light is the Volume of the Holy Law, the Square and Compasses, and on the first, he seals his Solemn Obligation:
‘…As proof of your faith and to make this a solemn obligation, you will seal it with your lips on the V.L.S…’
and at that moment the Worshipful Master points them out as the three great and emblematic lights of Freemasonry, describing each with a moral value of faith, rectitude of conduct, and prudence in our relations with men and especially with our brothers; three virtues that will henceforth lead us to a life in fullness if we so value them consciously.
I consider that possessing a solid faith would make it easier to approach the moral and spiritual mandates of the Creator and as a consequence our behaviour would be squared and our treatment towards others on the level.
We do not live in isolation, each of our actions can impact others and that is when we must always remain within just limits.
The Volume of the Holy Law is the symbol of obedience to the written divine law and this treasures a value much greater than mere aspirations of promises: The Word of God helps us to be good people by conviction and not just to deserve heaven.
Later, in the development of the Charge after Initiation, we receive exhortations to consider it as: an infallible guide that points out our duties towards God, towards our fellow men, and towards ourselves, summarizing all this in veneration and respect towards our creator; serving others with justice and taking care of ourselves physically and mentally to be able to dispose of the gifts with which He has endowed us, both for His glory and for the good of humanity. It would be inconsistent to serve others and neglect our own or ourselves, it’s like transferring a need from one side to the other.
The 24-inch Gauge indicates that all acts of charity must be exercised without detriment and according to the limits imposed by prudence, thus preventing any wrong contribution to vices and falling into manipulations if we do not evaluate with enough criteria the nature of the need.
In the explanation of the Tracing Board of the First Degree, we can observe that the Volume of the Holy Law supports Jacob’s ladder, alluding to the path of faith, hope, and charity, whose theological virtues are cultivated with the study and observance of divine laws.
This ladder represents a great example of ascent that is achieved step by step, rung by rung, because faith gives birth to hope and both spontaneously nourish charity, as the crown of virtues that guarantees a life full of beautiful purposes and brings us closer to the light that comes from above.
Another fundamental point is that without the presence of the Volume of the Holy Law no candidate can be initiated and this can go beyond complying with a landmark as such.
I consider that it gives solemnity and seriousness to the act of the Obligation since if at the beginning the belief in a Supreme Being is demonstrated to whom trust is placed in moments of difficulty and danger, it would be logical to strictly observe His mandates through the Sacred Book of the religion professed.
Although faith is often defined as the ‘conviction of what is not seen,’ Freemasonry teaches us to reason about it in order to contrast it with impulses, passions, and superstitions.
In the Emulation Ritual there is no exact rule that implies that the other great lights must be opened and placed on a specific book for each degree, this is indifferent. However, private lodges may establish their own customs in this regard.
For example: in some lodges, it is customary to open at Psalm 133 for the First Degree, highlighting the fraternal love that generates union;
Amos 7:7-8 for the Second Degree, which alludes to when the Lord places a mason’s plumb line on the people of Israel;
and Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 for the Third Degree, which speak of the vanities of life and that from dust we come and to dust we shall return.
Now, the Emulation Lodge Of Improvement recommends being sensitive in the treatment of the Volume of the Holy Law in initiation ceremonies, as it would be an empathetic gesture and a relevant point for the candidate, to open on that special occasion the Holy Law of his religion for the taking of obligation, in case it is different from that of the majority of the brothers.
It may be considered to place on the pedestal of the Worshipful Master all the holy books according to the religions of the members, but only the one whose religion is practiced by the majority will remain open. A great message of tolerance and equality among brothers and respect for the will of the full.
We can allude to countless occasions in each of the degrees in which the ritual leads us to consult the Volume of the Holy Law; but undoubtedly the most exact definition we learned in the explanation of the Tracing Board of the First Degree that highlights it as: ‘the derivative of God to man.’
More than a piece of lodge furniture, it is a manual of life, which should be read with the eyes of the spirit so that what is learned sensitizes our being and becomes something more useful and special than a baggage of knowledge. We can be versed in theology and learn all the holy laws, but this would not serve if we do not give space to God in our hearts through the practice of virtues.
Article by: Osbenis Hernández Medina
Osbenis is from Venezuela, and began his Masonic life in October 2016 in George Washington Lodge No. 100 in Caracas, affiliated to the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Venezuela, recognized by the UGLE, of which he was its Worshipful Master in the period 2019-2020.
He is currently an Active Member and Past Master of Buena Vista Lodge Nº 116, in the city of Maracaibo, affiliated to the same Grand Lodge.
He is also a member of the Royal Arch of the York Rite.
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