Within the history of Freemasonry is found the legend of the Lost Word. This allegorical tale shares a powerful story of how a Master Mason, Hiram Abiff, was murdered in an attempt by three ruffians to discover a secret word. Upon his death, though, the word was lost, and the search for the word remains to this day.
Allegory is defined as a symbolic work. A work in which the story is meant to represent other things. For those with the desire to seek, learn, and understand the deeper spiritual meaning behind those ‘other things’, a hidden wisdom can be discovered. In the case of the story of Hiram Abiff, this hidden wisdom refers to the discovery or the understanding of the Lost Word.
The search for the Lost Word can be pursued by anyone. A person does not have to belong to the official Masonic orders to seek the wisdom. It can be said everyone is a mason; a builder of self. Investing in the search for the Lost Word is seen by many to be a quest to know thyself and the Divine. This return on investment is sure to be grand.
All of this may be strange to a new person. The methods of concealment or the feeling of secrecy behind these fanciful stories may raise suspicion or interest in one’s mind. This is possibly intentionally and rightfully so. Only through questioning or through one’s own search for meaning can the Lost Word be found. Could the stories be considered mere enticements then for those who are ready to search? Is it like, when the student is ready, the teacher appears?
When the spark has turned brighter, the search for understanding begins? What is this Word though? Where does a person begin? The familiar verse found within the Bible states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Is this the Word which is lost? How would that be found? How can one get to know God? Is there a God?
The above questions need to be asked before they can be answered. The quest for wisdom is one which patiently waits for all and only begins after wonder. They are not questions of any one religion. God is not a God of this or that religion. He is God to all. He is the Creator. Proverbs 4:7 states, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.”
The investment towards wisdom and understanding is one of life’s top priorities. This opinion is similarly stated by Socrates in his quote of, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. But where should a person start? Proverbs 1:7 may supply the answer with, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” The fear of the Lord does not imply to be frightful of God but to acknowledge his power and love.
Could the starting point be to acknowledge there is a Lost Word in the first place? As asked above, “Is there a God?” This question is not wrong to ask. It is a question which is in the heart of all of us. Only after seeking can anyone truly know God and as Proverbs 2 shares; “if you search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
Enjoy and invest well always