Seán O'Néill, 32°

February was named for a Roman feast of purification, or febura, held on the 15th, but we are more likely to find St. Valentine’s Day marked on our monthly calendars. Valentinus was a second century religious philosopher and teacher who speculated on the nature of God through Gnosticism, a study that emphasized spiritual knowledge and taught that the physical world was evil. Although he would have approved of our use of his day for the sentiments of love, he would certainly have objected to an association with Cupid, the naked Roman god who flew about creating passion and sensual desire. It is therefore interesting that our holiday reflects a single aspect of love: romance.

As Freemasons, we note the most excellent tenets of our institution are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love. What is Brotherly Love? It is clearly different from the eros or romantic love of Cupid, and probably comes from the Greek philos, which refers to a strong affinity or closeness. From both Biblical and real-life examples we can understand that Brotherly Love is not just a feeling, but rather a mode of action. The implication is that we are indeed our brother’s keeper, in the broadest sense of meaning. Life is predictable in its constant instability, and we have little to have confidence in if we cannot count on each other.

Within the Fraternity, we are connected by our obligations and our sense of others as being on the same side. This concept is clearly displayed in the Five Points of Fellowship, the operating instructions for Brotherly Love as a behavior. We will relieve, remember, trust, sustain, and nourish our Brother. If he is worthy, we are always on his side, no matter what the circumstance. Imagine the good that could be accomplished if all human beings regarded each other with that conjunction, viewing other persons as an extension of the self. Imagine a world where prejudice and bigotry make no sense, where we assume the best from each other until we are proven wrong. Imagine that any person will be a friend of yours, someone who will be glad to help you in times of need. At that moment, for the second time in history, mankind will have discovered fire.