Brotherly Love

Short Papers Competition 2009 © 2010 Internet Lodge and the author Paper 3/2009 Title Brotherly Love Author Bro Kerry Nicholls – New Zealand Every Freemason knows that this is one of the three principles and tenet s of our fraternity; however the word ‘Love’ poses a problem. One is able to love anything both animate and inanima te. People love cars, travelling, hobbies, pets and any item that they are desirous of w anting. In this context love becomes part of the materialistic world as we live it in today’s societies. In order to demonstrate love we must show that we care and here we arrive at a way to express love.
Caring and loving are very closely related but alas, they are poles apart. We invariably hear the expression ‘love-child’ but has that child been conceived by parents who will care for it or is it created and placed on the globe as a wretched child – doom ed from conception for various reasons. What is love? Scientists view it as a biochemical phenomenon or a be havioural by-product of evolution.
When we are in love it is a state of enchantment that turns to frustration when reality kicks in.
The human being is the most elabor ate technological creation. The cr eation can never be replicated in detail no matter how hard we pursue this goal.
Love and hate are partners but in Freemasonry we know that if we cannot express Brotherly Love then what alternatives are there for us –‘Brotherly Hate?’ I think not.
The love/hate relationship is very closely interwoven and therefore we have to seek another word that can express this tenet.
If we care we are demonstrating the greatest gift possible and our highest expression to all humanity.
When we care and act accordingly we give to all humani ty the gift of caring. If we build a house with care we find that we are justly proud within ourselves. If we fail we know in our hearts that our efforts are not in vain because the rewards that spring from caring will create energies to bring about positive changes. Expressing care is not only feeding the hungry, care of orphans, widows, aged and infirm. To care is to demonstrate kindness, affection and universal love. We must also possess a heart that feels for the sufferings of others and a genuine and humane desire to relieve their suffering even by self-denial. A fine example is the 2006 Boxing Day Tsunami: we saw millions of do llars thrown at it, people giving up time to assist, well aware it was long-term and gut wrenching. But look at t he outpouring of assistance and emotion and if this is not Brotherly Love and an outward expression of caring - then what is? This occurred in countries where filial piety – honouring ancestors and el ders is part of the culture and combining this principle which is Naomi and Ruth wi th Brotherly Love we as Freemasons by practising Brotherly Love in this fashion now have an example all humanity can be justifi ably be proud of and aspire to in the true spirit of one of the most important tenets of Freemasonry.