Justice, Brotherhood and Truth

“And so I say to you today that I still stand by nonviolence... And the other thing is that I am concerned about a better world. I'm concerned about justice. I'm concerned about brotherhood. I'm concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about these, he can never advocate violence. For through violence you may murder a murderer but you can't murder. Through violence you may murder a liar but you can't establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can't murder hate. Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that. And I say to you, I have also decided to stick to love. For I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems. And I'm going to talk about it everywhere I go.” – Dr. M. L. King, August 16, 1967

These are the values which I have come to better understand through the light of Masonry.  These are not new values to me, but through Masonry, I have come to see them and understand them better.  I don’t think that it can be better said than through the words above, a quote by a man honored today for his vision and perseverance.  These are values that reign true on both a small and large scale, that should apply to use in all aspects of our lives, not just on a grand scale. 

How we deal with our brothers and fellows on a one on one basis is just as importance as how we try to move our nation.  How we run and interact in our Lodge is just as paramount as how we live and interact in our society. 

“the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause.”  is how we define Justice.  To abide by our obligations and to live by the system of morality to which we subscribe as Masons in all aspects of our lives.  To actually live it in our day to day interactions and to allow it to influence our decision making in Lodge and out. 

Brotherhood seems self explanatory, but is it?  Do we practice Brotherhood when we sit on the sidelines and not pick up the rope to join in the pull.  Brotherhood to me means to join in the activities and help the cause.  To live Masonry and not just wear the ring.  Life comes first, my vocation and my family, but when I can and I have the time, I choose to help my brothers in their endeavors as part of the team. 

Truth, is honor a creed I have subscribed to my entire adult life.  An attribute instilled in me during my days as an Eagle Scout in the BSA and my time as a Sergeant of Marines in the Corps.  It is a creed to which I believe in and keep to heart when I interact with my Companions, Brothers and Fellows.  It is an important attribute to keep and to allow you to believe in the words above.  If you do not believe in truthfulness, you can not justly use your most powerful weapon, your intellect, to further our cause and system of morality.  You must actually live by it and not just say you do to be truly honorable.  Because if you don’t, eventually, it will circle around to find you and cause you to question yourself and create disharmony in your thoughts. 

Justice, Brotherhood and Truth, three Masonic values which I hold to heart and believe are vital to one truly living in the Light of Masonry.  The Light that will put out darkness in our world.  Maybe it is contagious, we will see.