Acts of Good Works
"Works without merciful love, he urged, have no meaning, highlighting that the “Jonah Syndrome” is to perform works that are absent of this love."Pope warns against 'Jonah syndrome' of the pharisees :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)
How many brothers do you see doing works because they seek recognition, rank or a new pin? How often are you told that you will not get that recognition, unless you perform said works?
As Masons, we do good works because it is the right things to do, not because we expect personal gain. Pope Frances indicated that because a person truly loves and accepts his personal deity (in his case, Christ) the result is that he performs those good works. The works are a result of his faith, they are invalid if you perform those works hoping to gain that faith.
In Freemasonry, we have faith that our deity will give us that glorious immortality and because of that, we perform those good works to our fellow man. Because it is the right thing to do.
We do not perform work seeking to gain favor, a colored hat, a new pin or a seat on a line. We do Good works because that is what is expected of us as good men. Good works are not just acts of charity, the are acts of honor. Being true to our obligations, caring for those that can not care for themselves, Charity, brotherly love, living in truth. Being chivalrous and honorable is the result, knowing that you did those good works is all the recognition that one professing to believe in those two traits should expect.
Men of honor do good works, just because...
