AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER?
I haven’t read nor heard if the two sons of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael, reconciled ever. There was an issue of legitimacy and heirship. But they were undeniably sons of Abraham by two women.
By the oath we took when we were entered apprentices, and the other oaths we took when we were elected or chosen as officers of our mother lodges or the grand lodge or chapters of the higher bodies, we promised to perform our duties. Knowing how fallible or weak we are, those oaths end with the always forgotten but common suplication “SO HELP ME GOD”. Imbedded in the oath are the values we hold dear but oftentimes unable to live by – truth, justice and fairness.
The lessons of the adulterous woman on casting the first stone by anyone who is sinless, or the good samaritan, or forgiving 7X70 times, fraternal correction, among other lessons from the Holy Book which is the center of our masonic work, one of the points of regularity, are rich to make us mature Christians and masons. The reflection is on whether we learned from the lessons, if at all. Learning is equated here with living.
Ours is a fraternity, not a religion; it is a fraternity of men, presumably, men of honor. But honor is sometimes dwarfed by pride, some boastful, some sinister, even treacheous if not murderous.This fraternity of men of honor is not a civic society or a non- govenmental organization. The distinction is obvious – we are sworn to honor our word that must be matched by our action, individual or collective. We become members or officers of civic society to do good so that we can feel good. Walking the sworn obligations of an authentic mason does not end up with charitable tasks. The obligations to God, to others and to ourselves are clear. Too general they seem, some will debate.
But the learning continues beyond. The wisdom of experience must be acquired coupled with one’s desire to be pure and perfect, to be truthful, fair and just, when others cannot. We need to be better today as a man and as a mason than yesterday. Are we on track? Stagnation is the beginning of decay, even death.
We cannot stop learning. We should continue correcting one another. The risk is becoming unpopular if one shares his sense of right. History repeats itself they say. Does that equate with petpetuating unmasonic attitude and double talk, even indecision and ambivalence? Or violation of the basic tenets of A.:A.:S.:S.:R.or its rules?
We are fallen as anyone who is righteous falls seven times a day. And we all fall short of the glory of God we refer to as the Grand Architect. We are called to perfection but no one as they say is perfect. This is not a license neverthelessto condone and overlook wrongdoings or mistakes of a brother. To do so in our fraternity where we ought to look after and care for one another opens the road to perdition. The road to hell is full of good intentions, they say. The end does not justify the means. Masons are not Machiavelians. We do not divide and rule. We rule to unite and live as one.
What is true, just and fair is a simple standard against which others measure my masonic life. Nothing to be ashamed of if I have fallen along my masonic walk. I know I get up whenever I fall. The pilgrimage to be better as a man worthy to be called a mason never ends.
The answer to me is YES. I am my brother’s keeper. . . .
I AM MY BROTHER’S KEEPER!
by: SGC Ramon Esguerra
