From: Illustrious Bro. Michael D. Smith, 33°
Sovereign Grand Inspector General
 

To:  All Scottish Rite Gentlemen in South Carolina

Date:  June 2007

Subject: Father’s Day and 4^th of July Reflections

For most of us as members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, we have two important Holidays that have great meaning for us as men and Masons. Fathers Day is a time for personal reflection of the gifts from our heavenly Father while July 4^th is the reflection of the gifts from our fellow man.

 Masons work under the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood on Man.  These special days cause me to reflect on how am I doing as a Father and a Brother.  How about you?

Fathers Day is a time for us to celebrate the family unit and our responsibilities as men.  Many of you can only celebrate the memories of Father’s that have passed on while you celebrate with your children.  After the barbecue and the unique gifts that your family share with you, remember the real gift of Love that is the essence of all men. It is our responsibility to lead our families as we strive to set the best example for our families.  I view Father’s Day as a day of reflection to measure my personal example as a Father to my family and humbly seek guidance and forgiveness from our Heavenly Father for my weakness and short comings as a man and the strength and purpose to improve myself as a man.

 I am fortunate to have my Father and Father in Law with me today and I value them as men and masons.  I have been blessed to have them in my life.  I am also proud of my sons Christopher and Duane and I look forward to the influence they can have on their world and to serve with them as Freemasons.  My prayer for these men is that God bless them and guide them on life’s journey and that they walk ever closer to the center of the will of God for them in their lives. 

 I pray for forgiveness, strength and to always remember the heavenly example God has provided as a blue print for me to follow as I strive to be a Good Dad not only to my family but to my extended family as well.  I also believe that it is our responsibility to provide fatherly examples in our community as well.  I ask that you pause and reflect as well.

 As we approach the 4^th of July, I reflect on the many blessings we enjoy in the Orient of South Carolina and those men and Brothers that have sacrificed of themselves to provide Freedom.  I thank the Great Architect of the Universe each day for the Freedoms we enjoy and ask for guidance and direction for our Great Fraternity to move closer to the center of his will as we support each other, and serve our fellow man.   I ask each of you to join me in spirit with the following prayer for our country, our fraternity, and our philanthropy.

 Most Holy and Glorious Lord God, we come to you today with a humble spirit of thanksgiving for the many rich blessings that we enjoy from your own storehouse. We thank you for our Freedom and the opportunity to serve our fellowman.  We pray that you forgive us of our weakness and human frailty and the transgressions that we commit each day.  Give us strength to labor, patience with each other, perseverance to follow your Divine will and the Peace that will allow us to reflect upon our errors that we might better hear your voice and learn of your will for each of us.  We ask that you provide us and show us the resources that we need to do your will.  Aid us as Fathers in a world that needs Godly Fathers.

 Lord, we ask for your rich blessings for the Leadership of our country, our fraternity, and the Scottish Rite that each individual might move closer to the center of your will and thus become better servants.  We ask your rich blessings on the Rite Care Centers, the staff members, clinicians, parents and children, that the work done in those centers will be pleasing in your sight.  Protect us and keep us in this noble effort.

 Lord we pray for those individual members that are sick or bereaved. Touch them with your Amazing Grace, so that they might know that you are with them at every moment and at every breath.  We ask your blessings on those that serve our country and bless their families that their effort is one of truth and right.  So mote it be. Amen.

 May God Bless America and those that love her so!   

 In celebration of these Great American holiday’s, I ask each of you to personally seek out and thank a father and a veteran for their contribution to the many manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy as Americans.  Thank them and let them know that the fraternity is also appreciative.  Share with them rich history of the Scottish Rite and our great support of the United States and those that serve her so well.  We can never say thank you enough to Fathers for leadership and Veterans for their brotherly love.

 Finally, I look forward to being with each of you as we go into the fall reunion season.  I know many Masons that would benefit from joining our Scottish Rite Fellowship.  Do you have your two petitions for the fall?

Fraternally,
Michael D. Smith

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