How does Mark Masonry and Royal Arch Masonry help a Master Mason develop further?
Mark Masonry and Royal Arch Masonry serve as significant extensions of Craft Freemasonry, providing Master Masons with opportunities for further spiritual, moral, and philosophical development.
Mark Masonry introduces practical lessons that enhance the understanding of ancient Craft Masonry. The Mark Master Mason degree emphasizes the importance of earning one's wages and the moral implications of one's work, symbolized through the tools of the trade, such as the Mallet and Chisel. These tools represent the moral instruction necessary for personal growth and the importance of integrity in one's contributions to the Masonic structure.
Royal Arch Masonry is viewed as the completion of Craft Masonry, reinforcing the lessons learned in the earlier degrees while encouraging deeper contemplation of one's spiritual nature. The Royal Arch degree emphasizes the quest for the lost secrets of a Master Mason, symbolizing the search for divine truth and the ultimate purpose of Masonic labor. This degree is structured around three ceremonies that build upon each other, culminating in a comprehensive understanding of the Masonic journey.
In summary, both Mark Masonry and Royal Arch Masonry provide Master Masons with essential tools and teachings that facilitate their journey towards self-improvement and spiritual enlightenment, ultimately guiding them towards a more profound understanding of their place within the Masonic fraternity.