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Education," but in truth this term is redundant. When
each of us knelt at the altar and stated that our greatest
desire was to receive light, we committed ourselves to
the work of Masonry: learning. To this end, Education
is not simply 'a thing some Masons do.' Education is
patently 'THE thing all true Masons do.'

As such, we must look toward the great thought
leaders, both past and present, as the champions of
society. Not just Masons either. Th ere is a wealth of
learning to be accomplished outside of the walls of
the lodge. Another's intellect is not something to be
intimidated by, but an opportunity to provide you
with a better understanding of the world around you-
-God's Creation. I admit, re-framing perspective on
more knowledgeable people is something I struggle
with. I certainly don't like admitting that someone is
better than me at something but I must recognize it
as a reality. Rather than view this as a shortcoming,
W. Bro. Scott Dueball, I recognize an opportunity to expand my own
Grand Lodge Education Officer understanding. As Masons, we must take the bold step
Grand Lodge of Illinois and seek out the subject matter experts in all walks of
life. Th is can mean in the developing of our Masonic
What do you most desire? It has been so long since
this question was fi rst put to me that I cannot recall knowledge but also in the promotion and marketing of
how it made me feel. I'm sure, like nearly every other our Masonic activities. We must listen and be willing
Brother, I was prompted with the answer, "light." I to apply the lessons we glean from others.
wonder if the Senior Deacon had taken just a beat
(or two) longer, if I would have channeled the correct To be clear, I am stating that it is the vocation of
response. Earlier in the degree, we were off ered the Mason to combat all forms of anti-intellectualism.
multiple chances to respond to questions on our own. Th ere is no room for such attitudes neither in our
And now, blindfolded at the altar, what more could a individual hearts nor in the collective conscious of
man want? It's not unreasonable to think we all might the Lodges and state. One’s refusal to seek light is
have settled on "light" eventually, without the prompt. the refusal of our very obligations and ought to be
Th ink about what desire means. treated as such. It is, without a doubt, critical that
Freemasonry champion the expansion of the intellect.
If we are to be seen as beacons in the community, we
Desire is much stronger than a typical want. Perhaps
it's just my own vernacular, but I think of "wants" as must open our eyes and commit to cultivating light.
being attached to material things, versus "desires" If we cannot do this, then we will continue to recede
being more immaterial. Desire is connected with a into the shadows of civic life and our gift s will be, in
deep uncompromising emotional drive for something. the words of Robert Folger, “committed to the fl ames.”
If you truly desire something then you will come up
with it. In contrast, if you can’t conjure the correct
response, perhaps you don’t really desire it.

Whether you truly desired light or not, you still said
you did. In your heart, you trusted the guidance of Reprinted with permission from "What do you most desire?",
the Senior Deacon's prompt. Th us this search for light Scott Dueball, 2020, Illinois Freemasonry blog, March 21,2020,
Grand Lodge of Illinois. Grand Lodge of AF&AM of Illinois.
could not have emanated from anywhere other than
your heart. From this moment on, you have claimed
to walk a path in search of light. Everyone is capable of
building their knowledge, and from there, expanding
their consciousness. I believe that this is the vehicle
in which we make good men better. Too oft en we
do not make good on this commitment. We lack an
intense focus on learning. We talk about "Masonic
Montana Freemason Page 5 March/April 2021 Volume 97 No. 2