Guarding Brotherhood Across All Bodies

An open letter to the Brotherhood by Israel Gines, Five Points Lodge No 1137, District 60

My Brothers,

I want to speak from the heart because this is personal. I did not join this fraternity for titles or
regalia. I joined it for Brotherhood, light, and the values we swore to uphold.

Lately, I have seen something that troubles me—not just in the Blue Lodge but across the
independent bodies we hold dear: Grotto, Shrine, Scottish Rite, York Rite. Too often, lousy
leadership—driven by ego, cliques, or politics—has started to rot away at the foundations of our
Brotherhood.

And that is dangerous. Because when we allow pride or power games to infect our bodies, we are
not just hurting participation. We are poisoning the spirit of the Craft.

In the Blue Lodge, we are raised with solemn obligations to support one another, meet on the
level, and act with integrity. But what happens when a brother takes those obligations in the
Lodge… then turns around and uses a leadership position in an independent body to divide,
exclude, or intimidate?

It happens more often than it should. We have all seen it. Brothers silenced for speaking up.
Worthy men are pushed aside because they do not “fit the mold.” Decisions made behind closed
doors are not for the good of the body but to serve someone’s pride. That is not Freemasonry.
That is not who we are.

Let me say this plainly: no fez, no collar, no degree makes any brother more critical than another.
Whether you wear a red fez at the Shrine, a red or purple tassel at the Grotto, the Scottish Rite
cap, or the York Rite jewel, you are still a Mason. And as Masons, we are bound by something
more profound than position: we are bound by principle.

We cannot allow bad seeds—whether in Blue Lodge or the independent bodies—to fracture our
Brotherhood. The Craft is supposed to be a sanctuary, not a battlefield. These organizations are
meant to enrich our journey, not distract us from the purpose we swore to serve.

So, I tell every brother reading this: do not let lousy leadership make you walk away from good
Brothers. Do not let politics make you forget your purpose. And do not let arrogance make you
bitter. Rise above it. Call it out when necessary—but always with courage and civility.

If a leader forgets what serving means, remind him—not with anger, but with Light. If a group
becomes more about control than fellowship, pull it back toward the mission. And if you see a
brother discouraged, remind him why he joined. Remind him that the Lodge—the Craft as a
whole—is more significant than any man or moment.

Our Fraternity survives not because everyone leads well, but because when leadership fails,
Brotherhood does not.

Let us protect the Brotherhood across all bodies—Blue Lodge, Shrine, Grotto, Scottish Rite,
York Rite. Let us be the kind of Masons who stand firm, reach out, and lead with Light—even
when others do not.

We owe that to ourselves. We owe that to each other. And we owe that to the generations who
will follow us.
Thank you, my brothers.

Fraternally,
Br Israel Gines
Five Points Lodge, No 1137
District 60, Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.

Become a Member

Are you a Regular Active Master Mason who believes in the power of brotherhood, laughter, and community service? Then Sitara Grotto invites you to step beyond the veil and into the Enchanted Realm. We are a growing fellowship of like-minded Masons committed to spreading mirth, forging meaningful bonds, and making a real impact in our community—through charitable works, public engagement, and a little well-placed humor. If you’re ready to serve with joy and build something lasting, join us at Sitara Grotto, founded in 2025—and help shape the legacy from day one.