Friday, July 18, 2008

I Find Myself Entirely Destitute

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the oracle of Europe after the millenium, wrote for Hugh de Payens, the Exhortatio ad Milites Templi. One excerpt "they dwell without property of any kind, under one rule, preserving the unity of spirit. The whole multitude as but one heart and one soul. Respect is paid to the best and most virtuous." That the wealthy and the noblest of landed aristocracy moved toward Jerusalem is well known. What isn't known is why, men of wealth and ease would give up property to join in this quest to free Jerusalem. A similar event is happening today amongst the wealthy Arab elite, though they have not traditions of poverty and self sacrifice, but the secondary tier of adherants does. They are desirous of being involved in a Jihad/Crusade. We Freemasons often desire to be involved with something "greater than ourselves" We are in a new millenium, and the time for mankind to become as one heart may now be a real possibility. Is it time for the New Atlantis? As Jefferson said of rebellion "what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance." Money and power, well known to cause corruption , and why we come to the Temple entirely destitute.

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