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Whereas morality reflects our relationship
with God, brotherly love is the reflection of our relationships
with one another. Masons are in a fraternal relationship
with their brothers. When brotherly love prevails in
the Fraternity, moral and social virtue cement us together.
We are what we are supposed to be. Let me illustrate.
There is a beautiful Hebrew legend
of two brothers who lived side by side on adjoining
lands. One was the head of a large family. The other
lived alone. One night, the former lay awake and thought:
"My brother lives alone, and he had not the companionship
of a wife and children to cheer his heart as I have.
While he sleeps, I will carry some of my sheaves into
his field."
At the same hour, the other brother
reasoned: "My brother has a large family, and his
necessities are greater than mine. As he sleeps, I will
put some of my sheaves on his side of the field."
Thus the two brothers went out, each carrying out his
purposes and each laden Vv1.th sheav'"es - and
met \vhere the propert:{ divided. There they embraced.
This story tells what brotherly love is all about.
All of us are bom of God. When we share
brotherly love with each other, we are being what God
made us to be.
Masons did not invent brotherly love.
It is gift from the Great Architect of the Universe
to every person. Brotherly Love comes from our hearts.
The way we understand and respond to others is a part
of the internal, not the external, qualifications of
a man. When it comes to our capacity to share brotherly
love with each other, extemal matters like the size
of our Lodge or our resources make no difference. From
the time we were initiated as an Entered Apprentice,
we were taught to regard the whole human species - the
high and the low, the rich and poor - as one family,
who, as created by one Almighty Parent and inhabitants
of the same planet, are to aid, support, and protect
each other.
Masonry strives to take the good men
God created and make them better. One of our methods
is to teach and practice brotherly love every day of
our lives. We ! owe love and assistance to all.
Why, you may ask?
One reason is enough. God has loved
us. Can anyone think of a better response to God's love
for us, than that we should have brotherly love for
each other?
Brethren, let us love one another!
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