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" Had our Annual Commandery Inspection this morning. It’s been a long year of preparation, and I’m glad to say it’s finally complete. Several of our Sir Knights truly shined today. They made us look great. Kudos to them and to everyone who took part. A great day with outstanding fellowship ". SK Socrates Garza, Warder San Antonio Commandery No. 7 Official Photographer - November 22, 2025

God, Faithful King The acronym AMEN, which stands for "El Melech Ne'eman" ("God, Faithful King"), can be identified in the Book of Deuteronomy, specifically in Deuteronomy 7:9. The passage reads: " Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and lovingkindness with those who love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations ." In Hebrew, the relevant part of the passage is: "יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן" Breaking it down: • הָאֵל (HaEl) = The God • הַנֶּאֱמָן (HaNe'eman) = The Faithful These words can be seen to correspond to the letters in AMEN: • א (Aleph) from "El" (God) • מ (Mem) from "Melech" (King) • נ (Nun) from "Ne'eman" (Faithful) Thus, the acronym AMEN is embedded in the idea conveyed in this passage, emphasizing God's faithfulness and sovereignty. The concept of "AMEN" in Jewish tradition is different from the phrase " so mote it be ." AMEN : • The Hebrew word "Amen" (אָמֵן) is often used at the end of prayers and means "so be it," "truly," or "verily." • It signifies affirmation, agreement, and confirmation. • In Jewish liturgy, AMEN is often understood as an acronym for "El Melech Ne'eman" ("God, Faithful King"), underscoring a declaration of faith and trust in God's truth and faithfulness. So mote it be: • This phrase is commonly associated with Masonic and some other ritual traditions. • It is used at the end of prayers or declarations and means "so may it be" or "so be it." • The phrase expresses a strong affirmation and a hope or wish that what has been stated will come to pass. While both "Amen" and "so mote it be" are used to signify agreement and affirmation at the end of statements or prayers, "Amen" carries specific theological connotations within the context of Jewish faith and practice, particularly emphasizing belief in God's faithfulness. In contrast, "so mote it be" is more commonly found in the context of certain fraternal or ritual traditions and does not carry the same theological implications. The word "Amen" appears in several Psalms in the Tanach ( Jewish Bible or The Old Testament in the Christian Bible ). Here are the specific references: 1. Psalm 41:14 (41:13 in Christian Bibles): • Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעֹולָם וְעַד־עֹולָם אָמֵן וְאָמֵן׃ • Translation: " Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen. " 2. Psalm 72:19: • Hebrew: וּבָרוּךְ שֵׁם כְּבוֹדוֹ לְעוֹלָם וּמָלֵא כְבוֹדוֹ אֶת־כָּל־הָאָרֶץ אָמֵן וְאָמֵן׃ • Translation: " And blessed be His glorious name forever; and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen. " 3. Psalm 89:53 (89:52 in Christian Bibles): • Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה לְעוֹלָם אָמֵן וְאָמֵן׃ • Translation: " Blessed be the Lord forevermore. Amen and Amen. " 4. Psalm 106:48: • Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן־הָעוֹלָם וְעַד הָעוֹלָם וְאָמַר כָּל־הָעָם אָמֵן הַלְלוּיָהּ׃ • Translation: " Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, Amen. Praise the Lord. " In these passages, "Amen" is used to express strong affirmation and agreement, often concluding doxologies and praises to God. In the B'rit Hadashah ( The Christian New Testament ), the word "Amen" is frequently used with the same theological meaning as in Jewish tradition, signifying affirmation, agreement, and truth. Here are several examples: 1. Matthew 6:13 (The Lord's Prayer): • " And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. " • This use of "Amen" concludes a prayer, echoing the Jewish practice of ending prayers with a strong affirmation. 2. Romans 1:25: • " Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. " • Here, "Amen" is used to affirm a doxology, similar to its use in the Psalms. 3. 1 Corinthians 14:16: • " Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? " • This passage highlights the practice of saying "Amen" in response to blessings and prayers, emphasizing communal agreement and understanding. 4. 2 Corinthians 1:20: • " For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. " • This verse uses "Amen" to express the certainty and affirmation of God's promises. 5. Ephesians 3:21: • " Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. " • Another example of a doxology ending with "Amen." 6. Revelation 1:7: • " Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. " • "Amen" here serves to affirm the truth and certainty of the prophetic vision. 7. Revelation 22:20-21: • " He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. " • The final verses of the New Testament conclude with "Amen," signifying affirmation and a prayerful longing for Christ's return. In these examples, "Amen" retains its traditional Jewish theological meaning of expressing truth, certainty, and agreement, demonstrating continuity between Jewish and early Christian practices Sir Knight Kleber Siqueira 5/27/2024

An AI digital painting of the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ As Knights Templar we observe several special days during the year. One is Ascension day which was May 9 this year. In the Encyclopedia of freemasonry it is called Holy Thursday and a Feast day for Rose Croix chapters. The Ascension of our Lord occurred 40 days after His resurrection and is recorded in only Luke as well as Acts 1. Matthew and Mark record some of Jesus’ final words to his disciples but not the ascension. Ascension observance is uniquely Christian since it does not coincide with any other holidays or observances “And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” ‭‭ Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭50‬-‭53‬ ‭ESV‬‬ “So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬ The Ascension is an event often overlooked by the church. Yet it is a redemptive event and an important event in the life of a Christian. It was a turning point for the disciples. Before his arrest, Jesus had told the disciples he was leaving them and had to be this way. They watched as he was arrested, tortured, and crucified. Even with the news of the resurrection they were not completely over the events. This had to be a sad occasion since they had walked and ministered with him for three years. Yet over 40 days later they are entering Jerusalem “ with great joy and were in the temple blessing God ”! What was the difference?! Jesus left earth in a cloud. A cloud of God’s glory. Shekinah glory. He returned to receive the glory he had left when he descended to earth to become God incarnate. Isaiah 6 ( “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. ” ‭‭ Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬) and John (“ At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: ” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭3‬, ‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV ‬‬) both describe the glory of God. So the disciples knew where Jesus was going. Jesus left to be coronated. He was crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords. A cosmic authority was given Him. He now rules heaven and earth. He is the head of the church and in the highest seat of authority in the universe. John Calvin said, “ Being raised to heaven, he withdrew his bodily presence from our sight, not that He might cease to be with his followers, who are still pilgrims on the earth, but that He might rule both heaven and earth more immediately by His power. ” The disciples knew who Jesus was and what was going to happen. They knew he was in control. Jesus left to send a helper. This helper is the Holy Spirit. A paraclete provides advice and comfort. The disciples were told that they would be Christ’s witnesses at home, in their area, foreign areas, and around the world. The Holy Spirit will also strengthen the believers. The disciples knew Jesus would always be with them. Jesus left to be our High priest. He is our mediator and advocate to the Father. He went to heaven to preserve the saints that were given him. He promised to pray for his followers but not the world. John 16:9 - “ I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but those whom you have given me, for they are yours ”. The disciples knew that Jesus would be praying and advocating for them Allow me to remind you of an address the Prelate gives the candidate in the Order of the Temple: PILGRIM, THE SCENE YOU HAVE JUST WITNESSED IS INTENDED TO REMIND YOU OF THE GLORIOUS CONCLUSION OF THAT HALLOWED SACRIFICE OFFERED BY THE REDEEMER OF THE WORLD TO PROVIDE A WAY OF SALVATION TO FALLEN MAN. …OUR BLESSED SAVIOUR, AFTER SUFFERING THE PAINS OF DEATH, DESCENDED INTO THE PLACE OF DEPARTED SPIRITS; THAT ON THE THIRD DAY HE BURST THE BANDS OF DEATH, TRIUMPHED OVER THE GRAVE, AND IN DUE TIME ASCENDED WITH TRANSCENDENT MAJESTY INTO HEAVEN, WHERE HE NOW SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, A MEDIATOR AND INTERCESSOR FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN HIM. So that is all and good, but what does it have to do with me?! Like the disciples, because Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father, we can have the confidence that Jesus knows and rules all things in heaven and on earth. His glory is beyond description and He prepares a place for His own. He is in control of all things that happen and as believers “all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes”. He walks besides us and guides us. Comforts us when we need it and intercesses and advocates for us to the Father. Let us encourage one another with this good news as we go through our pilgrimage of life . Sir Knight David Powell May 2024

In today's fast-paced and often self-centered world, it can be refreshing to find organizations that still uphold the values of chivalry, charity, and brotherhood. One such organization is the Masonic Knights Templar, a non-profit group based in the San Antonio, Texas Metro Area. Established in 1868, the Masonic Knights Templar is dedicated to honoring the legacy of the Ancient Knights Templar and their principles. At the heart of the Masonic Knights Templar is the value of chivalry. Chivalry is often associated with medieval knights and their code of conduct, but it is just as relevant today. It is about treating others with respect, kindness, and honor. In a world where rudeness and selfishness seem to be the norm, the Masonic Knights Templar strives to be a shining example of chivalry. Whether it is holding the door for someone, offering a helping hand, or simply being polite, practicing chivalry can make a positive impact on those around us. Charity is another core principle of the Masonic Knights Templar. The organization is committed to giving back to the community and helping those in need. Through various charitable initiatives and fundraising events, the Masonic Knights Templar supports local causes and organizations. From providing scholarships to supporting food banks, their charitable efforts make a difference in the lives of many. By embracing the value of charity, the Masonic Knights Templar demonstrates the importance of compassion and generosity. Lastly, the Masonic Knights Templar places great emphasis on brotherhood. Brotherhood is about fostering strong bonds of friendship and support among members. It is about standing together, united in a common purpose. The Masonic Knights Templar provides a sense of belonging and camaraderie to its members, creating a supportive community where individuals can grow and thrive. Through shared experiences and shared values, the organization cultivates a strong sense of brotherhood that extends beyond the walls of their meeting place. The Masonic Knights Templar proudly sponsors San Antonio Assembly No. 3, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. This partnership allows them to extend their principles of chivalry, charity, and brotherhood to young women in the community. By mentoring and supporting these girls, the Masonic Knights Templar is helping to shape the leaders of tomorrow. In conclusion, the Masonic Knights Templar is an organization that embodies the values of chivalry, charity, and brotherhood. Through their commitment to these principles, they make a positive impact on their community and the lives of those around them. In a world that often seems lacking in these virtues, the Masonic Knights Templar serves as a reminder of the importance of treating others with respect, giving back, and supporting one another.