Coach: The meaning being the word "mystery," as used by Freemasonry and Masonry, one was quite a delightful surprise for me.
Brother: How so?
Coach: I had originally taken the word "mystery" to mean:
Mystery: (1) anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown: the mysteries of nature. any affair, thing, or person that presents features or qualities so obscure as to arouse curiosity or speculation.
And I pursued Freemasonic mysteries accordingly
But while doing Masonic research a while back, I came across this definition:
Mystery: (2) Occupation; trade; office; profession; calling; art; craft.
I also found out through that research that the words "Mastery" and "Mystery" were at one time taken to be synonymous!
And when I found out that there were things called "Mystery Plays" (a.k.a. "Occupational Plays!"), what I considered a lot of discrepancies within Freemasonic practices started to make a whole lot of sense that could not have made any sense using the first definition.
Using the second definition, I came to understand Freemasonry as an occupation! It's actually a calling that needed to be practiced as a craft.
The teachings are unusual in that they are more like provided directions. They are not there to actually teach us anything. They are there to show us what we must learn and how to go about that learning if we are to practice the Craft.
And to practice the Craft of Freemasonry, one must embrace and exemplify through our actions the values and philosophies both pointed out and alluded to by its Rituals.
Otherwise mastering the mystery of these masterful craft mysteries will remain a masterful mystery.
Brother: I see what you did there.
Coach: Good!
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