This article is taken from the February 2021 issue of Fraternal Review titled, “The Death of Ritual?”
In many cultures and among social groups, food is considered a central element for connecting with another to foment enduring friendships—both personal and business. Perhaps most Masons have experienced more than a few meetings with their brothers over dinner, lunch, and/or a Sunday Brunch.
When it comes to food in general and meeting during a meal in particular, such moments feed not only our bodies but also our social souls. Such is certainly the case with food and Freemasonry.
While some Lodges may consume a meal ahead of the stated meeting or ritual work, there is something to be said for enjoying a meal after the work has concluded— particularly post-ritual. Let us consider three reasons for enjoying a meal after Ritual.
GROUNDEDNESS
Firstly, food has a way of grounding us. In short, it brings us back to our bodies as the mastication, digestion, and assimilation of foodstuff is designed to slow us down. It is this process that has the ability to bring us back to earth after conducting and/or witnessing ritual—even more so when we experience superbly-executed ritual work, both of the spoken and floor work variety.
REFLECTION
Secondly, after conducting Ritual work for a newly Entered, Passed, or Raised Brother, the opportunity to sit may prove as beneficial to the evening as the ritual itself for all in attendance—Yes! Even our Brethren seated along the side-lines.
In short, a post-ritual meal provides an opportunity to not only discuss the experiences of the evening, it is also a chance to deeply contemplate individual or collective experiences so as to more fully integrate the ritual’s lessons and symbols with Brethren responsible for delivering said ritual and who may have themselves ruminated over the same along their Masonic journey.
DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
Thirdly, in carving out time post-ritual and in a relaxed manner, we may learn something about ritual execution not previously considered. And that nugget of wisdom may well concretize our understanding of key elements and lead to an even better delivery for Candidates.
And after all, are we not there to make certain the Candidate being Entered and/or Brother being either Passed or Raised has the best experience possible? If not, let this moment be your starting point to ensure such by mastering both your understanding and delivery of Ritual. In this, it will prove helpful to witness ritual from as many perspectives as possible.
DINING WITH FELLOW BROTHERS
That said, it is the belief of this author that our Masonic Ritual may be experienced in no less than five ways: as a Candidate; as a Brother delivering the Ritual; as a side-line Brother witnessing the Ritual; as one contemplates the Ritual away from a Tyled Lodge in the privacy of one’s Internal Lodge or mind; and by living it in one’s daily travels.
As a result, each Brother in attendance for a meal afterward may prove a valuable reference offering a unique perspective based both on his vantage-point during the ritual and as a result of his previous and current contemplations. What better time to obtain “more light” than during a post-ritual meal?
What if my Lodge has its meal before the start of Lodge? The short answer: Try something new!
In many Lodges, there may be a long history of “doing things a particular way.” As such, some Brothers may be initially resistant to such a change. We all know the famous Past Master refrain, “It wasn’t done that way in my year!” In such cases, strong alliances with more seasoned and reasoned Brethren may prove beneficial.
Therefore, observe the Brethren of your Lodge and seek to connect with those of a like mind to arrange a post-ritual meal and note the quality of the exchange among the Brethren in attendance and its impact thereafter. It may prove to be the new cement that builds not only stronger new and seasoned Brothers but a stronger Lodge culture. With nothing to lose yet everything to gain as it relates to deeper friendships and new understandings of our Ritual, why not give it a shot?
Aum appétit!
Written by Wor. Baruti KMT-Sisouvong, 32° Ph.D. Candidate