Dear brother knights and sister dames,
We say it constantly, when full of regret we declare: “If only we had been there, when our brothers were taken to the stake to be burned”; If only we had had enough of a role to play, when justice was hijacked in the corrupt court of Philip the Fair!”; If only we could go back. That is admirable of us, yes; yet have we turned our eyes to the present day? Have we taken a good look around and recognized all the suffering that surrounds us, here, right now? Here, in our world and our time, at this very moment? What are we going to do about it?
The easiest thing is to spend our time creating and analysing protocols, resolving disputes and denouncing the actions of others. All the while we should be taking action.
Yes! It’s convenient to dedicate our time to read and appreciate our history, know more about Jacques de Molay, Hugues du Payens and the first Templars. For us are the first humanitarian soldiers. Why is it, then, not important to fulfil and enrich this story with concrete positive action on our part, today? Oh yes! We must do it because it is the legacy we claim and must live by. It has always been our duty, our mission and our struggle. Our clear role is to protect men from evil and keep the unprotected safe from all suffering. In these times of great need that we live, times filled with war, strife, famine and disease along with every other man and woman, it is an absolute necessity.
Now is the time to act in response, otherwise why would we want to unite in the Templar Corps International, or indeed in any branch of the Templar Order? We civilians, soldiers, humanitarian workers, police officers, gendarmes, teachers, medical personnel, bankers, politicians etc, All of us! In my humble opinion, this is not a figurative mandate: it is a call on our conscience to undertake concrete action. It is time to act, because time cannot be turned back my dear brothers and sisters. No other opportunity will be offered to us again, an opportunity clear as this one! The opportunity to make this world a better place; to share our joy for living, to share a smile, to spread hope and celebrating life and the lives around us. It is time to undertake tangible actions.
My brothers and sisters, by our standing idly by as witnesses and through our silence and inaction, we are will become the unwilling accomplices of those who rejoice in the suffering of others. The silence, inertia and the passivity, that we often fall prey to, is the reason why Nogaret and Philip the Fair are back in the world. Who exactly are they today? Let me tell you. Philipe the Fair’s dark shadow reappears whenever we refuse to use our gifts and abilities to change things within our reach, by choosing to ignore injustices and afflictions because of our pride. Sometimes I feel that our fate is to let accomplishments slip through our fingers because of overly formal commitments to different branches of the Order, their different Grand Masters and Regents, and differing ways that set us apart from each other. Instead we should be choosing to act as a united force and a common goal: to act together as one in the service of all humanity. Today Nogaret is the indifference with which we live alongside the misfortunes of others, the way we allow poverty and hunger to grow around us by not lifting a finger except for our social media postings of how outraged we feel or by just remaining utterly indifferent. Yet all the while we are endowed with powers of multiple abilities and capabilities.
The truth is that medieval Templar soldiers, Master Jacques de Molay and many martyrs gave their lives in defence of immortal values. Still today, men of arms, doctors, journalists, researchers, fireman, social workers, missionaries and volunteers give their lives every day in service to these very same immortal values through their actions and by their principles.
Not much is asked of us, as it is enough just to share some relevant posting of a brother or sister on social media, helping to continue this immemorial work and the spread of light is our duty. It is more than enough to give a portion of one’s time and energy to the service of others. Three hours every week at a food bank, one hour helping the local charity, or even a symbolic material donation are ways we act and continue the Templar legacy in the reality of our service. Perhaps, action is what may re-pay the sacrifice of all our fallen knights of the past. A single act of support of any kind represents the opportunity to strengthen honour and emphasize the code of Chivalry.
Is that what we are doing?
We should be able to answer the following questions without feeling any shame or regret: what role do we play in our groups, in our surroundings, in our communities? How are we carrying out our mission? Is there anything we can do ourselves?
It’s time to act. Let us unite our forces around common projects and banish any dissent that seeks to divide us and is preventing us from fulfilling our duties to ourselves and humanity. Let’s stop being mere spectators. Let’s actively support each other in a concrete way by our contribution of any kind to the project. Let’s give our talent, share our professional occupations and social capabilities and drawing on our standing in society. Every piece is just as important and necessary as every other piece. Let’s focus together.
IT’S TIME TO ACT, let’s take Action together