In October of 2023, as the sitting Worshipful Master of Porter Lodge, I found myself embarking on an all-day degree in South Bend. Prior to this, my opinion of all-day degrees was fairly conventional: a necessary tool for extenuating circumstances—for brothers who were infirm, preparing for military service, or facing other significant limitations. We had just such a brother, Dylan, who had recently turned 18 and was slated to join the Marine Corps. I was entirely on board with ensuring he could enter the Marine Corps under the protective umbrella of our Masonic fraternity.

As powerful as the allegory of HA is in the Master Mason degree, we must not overlook the deeper lessons hidden in the actions of the Ruffians. Their role is more than merely setting the stage for the central drama. In truth, their presence in the ritual is deeply personal and profound. It’s about the struggle we all face between who we are and who we are trying to become on our spiritual journey. They symbolize the very real internal obstacles we face on the spiritual path. In the grand tapestry of Masonic teachings, they hold a tragic and transformative role.