What the Hermits Teach Us

The Three Hermits portrayed in our Order are often glossed over parts, and I dare say, seldom paid attention to.  They are worth taking a closer look.  Each of the three Hermits ask and greet the Pilgrim with the concept os “who approaches?  I don’t have riches, but what I have I will share. Come inside, rest and refresh yourself.  Let me share some of my food and water with you.” The Hermits teach us, and exemplify, both hospitality and  charity.  But moreover they share wisdom with the Pilgrim. They don’t just tend to his physical needs, but also to his emotional and spiritual needs as well.  Let’s look at what the Hermits in the Order of the Temple teach us, if we will but pay attention.

We have already mentioned the lessons of hospitality and charity, but each of the three lessons is different, and intended to cheer the pilgrim as he travels, and to assure of the success in his pursuits. 

Lesson of the First Hermit 

The first hermit shares with the pilgrim a Bible passage from John 6:27 which states “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the son of man will give you; for on him has God the Father set his seal.”   

Very briefly, the term Son of Man was one of Jesus’ favored descriptors of himself referencing the Biblical passage of Daniel 7 where Daniel describes the climax of his vision of God’s Messiah where a mysterious figure, “one like a son of man,” receives power and authority from the Ancient of Days: 

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14)

The particular passage referred to in John 6 follows the feeding of thousands with but five loaves and five fish.  The crowds had come looking for Jesus and he tells them that he knows that they Just came looking for more miracle food, but that Jesus said that they should instead be searching for the food offered by God’s messiah that offers eternal life.

So the first hermit reminds us of the pilgrimage that we are on.  The search for God.

Lesson of the Second Hermit

The second hermit likewise exhibits hospitality and charity to the Pilgrim, but shares a different lesson.  This time from Hebrews 13: 1, 2, and 5: “Let brotherly love continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said ‘I will never fail you nor forsake you’.”

Verse 6 of this same passage offers us a concluding thought: “therefore, we may boldly say, the LORD is my helper; I will NOT be afraid.  What can man do to me?”

What encouraging words for a pilgrim on his way to a hostile land to offer his devotions at the Holy Shrine: remember brotherly love for all; be hospitable; don’t be greedy, be content in life; remember God says “I will never fail you nor forsake you.”The second hermit offers us good advice for all pilgrims in life – Remember God…and behave like God does.

Lesson of the Third Hermit

The third hermit continues the pattern, this time reading from 1 Peter 4:8: “Charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”  

But the third Hermit also shares a reading from James 2:15-16: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit?”

And a third reading from Revelation 2:10: “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

The word charity is derived from the Latin word caritas and indicates more than just “giving away stuff to the needy.”  The word caritas is another word for agape, a Greek word used to indicate a selfless love done for the need of good, and God, and not just for the participant.  Such love will cover a multitude of harmful errors.  The hermit’s second portion reminds us that we just can’t think about doing agape, we have to DO it.  What good are “good thoughts” if they do NOT meet the needs of others?  

Finally the third hermit reminds us to persist in such doing good all the way through life for God rewards such with a “crown of life.”  One of the terms in Hebrew describing the word crown is the word nezer from which the word nazarite is derived.  It is interesting to note that this particular crown was associated with the royal priesthood and symbolized dedication and separation frequently connected to the Nazarites.  In the Torah, when the high priests were anointed they were crowned with the et nezer ha-kodesh.

Our pilgrim began his pilgrimage by seeking to make the journey to the holy shrine to find God.  He and his guides traveled and learned along the way.  Having completed their appointed year of pilgrimage the Jr. Warden and the Pilgrim approach the asylum of the Templars and seek to serve the remaining years of their continuing pilgrimage in what they perceive to be “more exalted usefulness” as they seek to become and serve as Knights Templar. In the Order of the Temple we will see that our pilgrim will become a pilgrim warrior, and a pilgrim penitent before being admitted a Knight Templar.  

The lessons of the hermits are basic lessons we should make use of in our lives:

• Search for God and seek eternal life with God.
• Love God and behave as God does.
• Love others and behave as God does, helping others with their needs.
• Do this until you die.

More than just being a pit-stop along the way, the hermits have valuable lessons to teach the Knight Templar.