As Masons we need to be as concerned about society’s moral behavior as much as our own. Morality appropriate for the individual is the same for the community. Our Masonic obligations improve the moral standards for the community and include:
- To be aware of the divinity residing in every individual and to protect people from oppression and to accord them freedom and justice.
- To treasure each individual’s uniqueness and help them discover their special gifts.
- To treat each person as an equal.
- To translate brotherhood into social reality, fostering goodwill among people, and caring adequately for the unfortunate.
- To foster peace over violence and cooperation over competition.
As masons we also need to be concerned about the abuse of possessions. No one is entitled to withhold wealth from use, to destroy it by wastefulness or caprice or employ it against the collective interest of society. Our charitable efforts help with the rectification of this communal failure. However, I believe we could be more active in supporting the prevention of such abuses so the world’s goods are administered for the benefit of mankind.
