Look to the Beehive

by Walter F. Wheeler, 33˚, Sovereign Grand Commander

Change is abundant – particularly this year, as my wife, Vickie, and I settle into our new home in Massachusetts. While I am a traveling man, Michigan has been a constant all my life up until this point –I grew up there, I met my wife there, and raised my children there. My other constant has been within the familiar ties of Freemasonry, where I find truth, inspiration, and most importantly, family.

And while one constant in my life has changed from Michigan to Massachusetts, I know that Scottish Rite Freemasonry will always remain a constant, a true North, to help me navigate this journey as Sovereign Grand Commander. I hope that you feel the same way about this beloved Fraternity of ours. I truly believe the Scottish Rite, NMJ, can help grow Freemasonry and sustain it for generations to come.

In early September, Vickie and I took a walk around the Supreme Council headquarters in Lexington. I couldn’t help but notice the bees were busy and abundant, buzzing to and from the last abundances of summer.

I was reminded of the analogy of the beehive in the third degree, where in the lecture it states: “The beehive is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in the heavens, to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us, that as we come into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow creatures around us are in want, especially when it is in our power to relieve them, without inconvenience to ourselves.”

Much like the bees who work in unison, as Masons, we also strive for unity, harmony, and productivity in our lodges, Valleys, and daily lives. Within the beehive, we see an intricate society, each bee diligently fulfilling its role for the greater good of the hive. This unity in purpose and shared responsibility is a guiding principle we, as Masons, should continually emulate.

Just as the bees work together to create a harmonious and productive environment, let us do the same.

It seemed no coincidence that the beehive analogy came to me during a walk around NMJ headquarters, where diverse individuals come together to work harmoniously toward a common goal: the betterment of the Scottish Rite. Like the bees, our Supreme Council staff knows our success is closely tied to our ability to work together with respect and cooperation.

Unity, the cornerstone of the beehive, extends to the strength of our Brotherhood as a whole. Just as bees work collectively for the good of the hive, we, too, should recognize the value of every Brother and respect their unique qualities and contributions. The bees follow the principle of order, fulfilling their respective duties without hesitation or deviation. Similarly, as Scottish Rite Masons, we are bound by our Core Values, keeping our obliga-tions, and dedicating ourselves to self-improvement and service to others.

Extending beyond the reaches of the whole Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the beehive symbolizes the impact our collective efforts can have on the wider world. Bees, through their pollination, play a vital role in the cycle of life, fostering growth and abundance in nature. Similarly, the Scottish Rite, and certainly Freemasonry as a whole, is a force for good, where the unity and industry of our members lead to positive change, making the world a better place.

The applications of the beehive symbolism are abundant, and the call to action is a simple one. I truly believe that we, as Scottish Rite Masons, can have a profound effect on the future of Freemasonry. We have a role to play – a job within the greater hive – in the success of not only our Scottish Rite Valleys, but our Blue Lodges as well. Every Valley has a vested interest in making sure that our symbolic lodges prosper.

Extending beyond the reaches of the whole Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the beehive symbolizes the impact our collective efforts can have on the wider world.

Our leadership and educational programs build crucial skills and foster excitement in our members that filter back to the lodges, making them stronger. And our marketing programs are helping to bring men to their doors.

Your Supreme Council will continue the work of those who came before us. We will continue to innovate, educate, and invigorate our membership for the good of Freemasonry. But we cannot do it without your help!

I ask each of you to find your place in the hive and help your Valley prosper. Just as the bees work together to create a harmonious and productive environment, let us do the same. By doing so, we will have the tools to carry the light of Freemasonry forward.

As I’ve said recently to the team here at headquarters, we have a lot of smart people on our team, and we can accomplish amazing things with all our combined talent. But to do so, we need the support of every member of Scottish Rite and our partners to propel us forward.

I’ll leave you with one final visual as a takeaway: What would it look like if we all Journey On with the passion and tenaciousness of a bee chasing an ice cream cone? Bribe me with ice cream, and I can assure you, I’ll come running.