The Act of Forgiveness

Joseph and his brothers have much to say to our brethren. Joseph's brothers sold him into bondage, yet he forgave them. While Moses visited Mount Sinai, his brother,Aaron, participated in the construction of the Golden Calf. Yet, Moses forgave him this indiscretion. Jesus saved a harlot who was being persecuted and forgave her. Again and again, we find the act of forgiveness a central theme in the Bible.

Our Masonic degrees have this element of forgiveness in their lectures and in the opening and the closing of our lodge. In a very real sense, forgiveness offers us the opportunity to practice Masonic virtues. We are taught that Charity is a central tenet of Masonry. Forgiveness is a supreme act of Charity because we overlook a brother's action and extend brotherly love to him. When we forgive a brother, we give him the opportunity to renew his oath and his obligations to the brotherhood.

Faith and Hope are also the foundations of our lodge. By forgiving, we demonstrate that we have Faith that our brother, who may have wronged us, will want to rectify his actions. We always have Hope that brotherly love will prevail against all odds.

Has it become passe for us to address one another as brothers? I hope not. The question becomes one of how a group of relative strangers can create the "mystic tie" of brotherhood. In part, our lodge needs to be a place of refuge where one can commit a human failing and still receive forgiveness. We are taught to "whisper friendly counsel" in an erring brother's ear. Yes, the brother may have erred toward us personally, but are we not guiltier of tearing the fabric of our mystic tie by being unforgiving?

There are scholars who believe that the most important contribution that Christianity has made to the world was to foster the concept of brotherly love. The Hebraic Talmud teaches that a man must take care not to violate a person's dignity. Do we not act less dignified when we are unwilling to extend the hand and heart of brotherly love to a brother? A brother who has wrongfully hurt us is still a brother who needs to know that we are compassionate. There is little doubt that living the life of a Freemason, according to its principles, is difficult, but it is well worth the effort. What a different world this would be if people followed our Masonic dictates.

Our lodge needs to be a very special place where men from different backgrounds and beliefs can come together and can leave the outside world of uncaring and unconcerned people. The lodge offers an opportunity to practice Masonic virtues and then to go into the world and share them. The root of forgiveness is humility, and all of our Masonic work highlights this characteristic. Let us live the work. Extend the hand of brotherly love and compassion. Sooner or later, you may need a brother to act in kind.