I was reading a book about the short lived Grand Orient of Louisiana this morning and noticed that the Orient’s official motto was Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
Then I jumped on Facebook, and saw a fellow Washington Mason post that same motto.
It isn’t a motto seen much here in Washington Freemasonry, but it is widely used by other Masonic Jurisdictions around the world. In fact, just a few months ago a large group from the Grand Lodge of Washington paid a visit to Libertad, Igualdad, Fraternidad Lodge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Running across this Masonic motto twice this morning brought a couple of questions to mind for me.
What do these words ‘Liberty,’ ‘Equality,’ and ‘Fraternity’ actually mean to us as Masons?
How can we best work to ensure these Masonic principles prevail in our communities, and in the world at large? What can we do to advance the cause of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity?
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Three words that, if followed, could heal our communities and beyond. As Masons, we practice these pretty well in lodge. We greet one another on the level with a firm handshake and embrace. We are, in our lodges, accepting of a Brother’s freedom to worship the Grand Architect in his way. But, as Masons, do we greet our neighbor in the same manner? Are we tolerant of the way our neighbor worships? Do we see our neighbor as equal? Practicing the precepts of these three words within our individual spheres of influence can be powerful. As human beings, let alone Masons, do we defend the liberties of others? Do we allow, or worse speak, the derogatory terms to describe those that don’t worship in the same manner or believe in the same political policies? I truly believe as Masons, we have it within ourselves, our lodges, our jurisdictions, through the teachings of our rituals, to ensure everyone in our neighborhoods, communities and countries, enjoys the Liberty, Equality and Fraternity the Great Architect endowed all of us with.
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Three words that, if followed, could heal our communities and beyond. As Masons, we practice these pretty well in lodge. We greet one another on the level with a firm handshake and embrace. We are, in our lodges, accepting of a Brother’s freedom to worship the Grand Architect in his way. But, as Masons, do we greet our neighbor in the same manner? Are we tolerant of the way our neighbor worships? Do we see our neighbor as equal? Practicing the precepts of these three words within our individual spheres of influence can be powerful. As human beings, let alone Masons, do we defend the liberties of others? Do we allow, or worse speak, the derogatory terms to describe those that don’t worship in the same manner or believe in the same political policies? I truly believe as Masons, we have it within ourselves, our lodges, our jurisdictions, through the teachings of our rituals, to ensure everyone in our neighborhoods, communities and countries, enjoys the Liberty, Equality and Fraternity the Great Architect endowed all of us with.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libert%C3%A9%2C_%C3%A9galit%C3%A9%2C_fraternit%C3%A9
Roots in the French Revolution.
Psalms 133
Which Grand Orient of Louisiana?