Y Golofn Gymraeg

Wrth i mi eistedd yma o flaen sgrin wag fy nghyfrifiadur, prin yw’r syniadau ar gyfer gwrthrych - neu yn wir - cynnwys y golofn Gymraeg gyntaf oll yn ein cylchgrawn taleithiol.

Wrth reswm, meddyliaf y dylai’r fath erthygl sôn am seiryddiaeth, ond beth arall? Gallaf efallai rhoi blas i’r darllenwyr o fy niddordebau, neu fy mhrofiadau personol? Ond pwy sydd â diddordeb yn fy mywyd personol i? Beth, o beth y gallaf ‘sgrifennu amdano? Er fy ymdrechion cyson i gael rhai o’m nghyd Frodyr i fwrw ati i lunio’r fath erthygl, gwag yw mewnflwch fy e bost o hyd! Felly dewch frodorion oll, rhowch gymorth i mi yn y dyfodol da chi!!

Ond bant a'r cart fel y dywedir yn y Gorllewin, ac yn dilyn penwythnos boddhaol tu hwnt yn y brif ddinas, un o’r datblygiadau mwya’ cyffrous i ni yn rhan yma o Gymry (ac yn wir yn ein talaith) yw Canolfan y Mileniwm sydd, wrth gwrs, wedi ei lleoli ym Mae Caerdydd. Ar ôl sawl ymweliad â’r ganolfan, rwy’n dal i gael fy ysbrydoli gan eiriau hudol Gwyneth Lewis, geiriau sydd wedi eu naddu ym mlaen yr adeilad anferth a phrydferth hwn.

“CREU GWIR FEL GWYDR 
O FFWRNAIS AWEN”

Wrth feddwl am wir ystyr y geiriau, gallaf ddim ond meddwl pa mor addas yw’r geiriau yma i ni fel Seiri Rhyddion. Beth arall ond y gwir yn ei amryw wisg sydd yn bwysig i unrhyw ddyn, ac yn bwysicach fyth i ni fel aelodau o’r Grefft? Fel y gŵyr pob un o’n haelodau, gwirionedd yw un o brif gonglfeini ein crefft, ond os ydy gwirionedd, - fel y cred llawer ohonom - yn angenrheidiol i fywyd moesol, mae rhaid i’r gwir fod yn dryloyw, fel gwydr geiriau Lewis.

Dim ond pam mae gwirionedd yn agored, yn gredadwy ac yn rhan annatod o’n bywyd beunyddiol y gallwn esgor ar ysbrydoliaeth i wynebu’r her eithaf, sef ein bodolaeth. Yn y gwledydd lleiaf breintiedig, ac yn rhannau o’r byd datblygedig, mae’r her hynny yn un uniongyrchol, her bodolaeth yw’r her i barhau i fod. Pan welwn y delweddau beunyddiol o ddioddef a thristwch, ym mhell ac agos, braf yw meddwl fod ein mudiad ni, drwy ffynhonnell Y Brif Elusen, yn barod i gyfrannu’n hael gyda chymorth ariannol. Cred llawer mae y rhodd bwysicaf yw’r rhodd elusennol - agwedd bwysig arall o’n crefft fel Seiri. Felly frodorion, peidiwch ac anwybyddu’r gwirionedd pwysig o rhoi i’r sawl sydd yn llai ffodus na ni. Mae ein talaith yn paratoi’n drylwyr tuag at Gŵyl Elusennol 2010 ac rwy’n ffyddiog y byddwch am gefnogi’r fenter i’r eithaf.

Rydym i gyd yn gefnogol ac yn mwynhau ein Seiryddiaeth, ac wrth imi orffen f’ymdrech gyntaf ar y Golofn Gymraeg, mae fy meddyliau’n mynd nôl i un agwedd fwynhaol, pwysig a chyson o’n profiadau fel Seiri Rhyddion - bwrdd y wledd. Yn dilyn ein seremonïau ffurfiol, gallwn fwynhau cwmni, brawdgarwch a lluniaeth wrth eistedd o amgylch bwrdd y wledd, ac yn aml iawn yn fy ymweliadau a’n gwahanol ganolfannau a chyfrinfeydd o amgylch ein talaith, daw geiriau un o’n englynion mwya’ adnabyddus nôl imi:

“Wrth Fwrdd y wledd eisteddwn,
O ganol digonedd y codwn,
Heddiw nac anwybyddwn,
Waedd y lleill am weddill hwn.”

Mae’r “lleill” frodorion yn gyson eu hangen, felly mae rhaid bwrw ati i gynnal ac i gynyddu ein hymdrechion ar ran y sawl sydd llai ffodus na ni. Heb yr ymdrech hwn, ble mae'r gwirionedd holl bwysig yna rydym i gyd yn ei arddel?

The Welsh Column

As I sit here in front of an empty screen of my computer, inspiration and ideas for the actual topic, subject and indeed the content of this first ever contribution in the Welsh language are very scarce.

Indeed, I think and realise that the article should include some aspect of freemasonry but of what else? I can perhaps give readers a taste of my own interests and personal experiences, but who is actually interested in my personal life? What, oh what can I write about? Despite my constant efforts to my fellow brethren familiar with our native tongue to set about to plan and write such an article, my email inbox is still empty. So come on brethren all, give me some help in the future!! 

But as they say in the West, (bant a’r cart) "away with the cart" or on with the journey. Following a recent most agreeable and enjoyable week end in our capital city, I feel that one of the most exciting developments in this part of the world (and indeed within our Province) is the establishing and completion of The Millenium Centre located of course in Cardiff Bay. After many visits to the Millenium Centre, I am constantly inspired by Gwyneth Lewis’ magic words; words that are carved into the facade of this huge and beautiful building:

“CREATING TRUTH LIKE GLASS FROM 
THE FURNACE OF INSPIRATION” (trans)

When thinking of the true meaning of these words, I can only think how appropriate they are to all Freemasons. What else but truth in its various disguises is important to any man; but even more importantly to us as members of the Craft? As all our members are aware, Truth is one of the main cornerstones of our Craft, but if truth as many believe, is the essence of a moral life, then that truth must be transparent – just like the glass in Lewis’ words. It is only when truth is open, believable and an essential part of our daily lives that we can realise the inspiration to face the ultimate challenge – our very existence itself.

In the less privileged countries and also in many parts of the developed world, that challenge is direct and uncompromising. The challenge of existence to many is the challenge of meeting the needs of each day, - quite literally the challenge of staying alive. As we witness the almost daily images of suffering and sadness from near and far around the world, it is so heartening to realise that our fraternity through the resources of The Grand Charity is always ready with generous financial support. Indeed, many believe that the most important contribution is charitable contribution – another important aspect of our Craft as Masons. Therefore brethren, don’t ignore the important truth of giving to those less fortunate than ourselves. Our Province is fully engaged in preparing for the 2010 festival in support of The Grand Charity and I firmly hope and believe that we will support this venture to the full. 

We all of course enjoy and support our Masonry but as I end this first article in the Welsh language for our magazine, my thoughts turn to another important, enjoyable and constant aspect of our Masonic experiences – that of the festive board.

Following our formal ceremonials, we can all look forward to enjoying good company, brotherhood and refreshment as we sit around our festive boards. Frequently however, and when I am fortunate enough to visit different and various lodges and Masonic centres in our Province and beyond, my thoughts invariably turn to the words of one of our most familiar “englynion” (a four line verse written to agree with strict rules of alliteration and syllabic limitations) which reads: 

"At the festive board we sit,
From amongst plenty we may rise,
Today we will not ignore,
The cry of others for what we leave
                                       behind."

The “others”, Brethren, are constant in their cry for help, therefore we must all 
set about to establish and to further improve our efforts on behalf of those less
fortunate than ourselves. Without this sustained effort, where is that all important Truth that we all lay claim and avow to?