Brethren,
As we move into August and I reflect at the reopening of Lodges across Virginia, I am truly hopeful for the future of our Fraternity. This is just one more storm which we will surmount. Despite the face masks, social distancing, and smell of hand sanitizer, it was a joy to see our brothers come back to the Lodge to again meet once more. It was awkward with the changes in ritual and knocking the “rust off the trowel” of our ritual. Even more awkward was seeing men coming to the Lodge and looking apprehensive of shaking hands with their Brothers. But I tell you Brethren, this is not the “new normal” which we have heard on the news, this is just our current status. All that we as a society, amidst daily medical and technological breakthroughs, have to do is be patient and to wait. Never forget that as our county was under a lock down, we sent astronauts into space. The COVID-19 virus, although tragic in its global death and high transmission rates, is just one more hurdle which we will as a people will defeat.
My son Connor, a member of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the DeMolay, recently asked for me to purchase him a book, yes, he still likes to read actual books. He had told me that he was interested in the character and wanted to learn more about him. He requested ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ as it was an adventure story about punishment and revenge, which I readily procured for him. We have had several discussions of the story which he is greatly enjoying. It truly is an exceptional book. The secret which he has yet to figure out though, is it is not a book about revenge, but rather a book about redemption. Moreover, the true lesson of this masterpiece can also be used to our current circumstances as they pertain to the medical and social upheavals within our nation.
“All human wisdom is contained in these two words – Wait and Hope”…
God Bless,
Charles
Unity Lodge No. 146 
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