LOVE
LOVE is a four-lettered word which frequently finds its way into the writings
of Masonic author Bro. Alphonse Cerza. In this Short Talk Bulletin Bro. Alphonse Cerza
shares some interesting thoughts on the subject of LOVE. We thank him for his
brotherly love in preparing these thoughts.
The word "love" in the English language has many meanings and is used to
describe a variety of feelings. In other languages there is more than one word
available to describe different feelings and clearly differentiating between
the degree of warmth which is intended when the word is used. For example, in
the Greek language there are three words available to describe one's feeling.
The word "agape" expresses an unselfish feeling which one person has for another
as well as the love of God. The word "eros" expresses the feeling which one
person has for a person of the opposite sex, and is reflected in the English
word "erotic." The word "philo" expresses the feeling which a person has in
other matters. This word was utilized when the word "Philadelphia" was selected
as the name of the famous city located in Pennsylvania and means "brotherly
love."
The comprehensive meaning of the word "love" becomes apparent when one
consults any standard English dictionary. The American Heritage Dictionary of
the English Language (1969) is a good illustration. It brings out the idea that
the word describes extreme or intense affection as compared with such related
words as "fondness" and "devotion." It states that "love suggests a feeling more
intense and less susceptible to control than that associated with the other
words of this group." In considering the wide range of feelings that can be
experienced, we find love at one end which describes a favorable excessive
fondness or affection and at the other end the undesirable feeling of hate. In
between these two extremes are found such words as like, regard, tenderness,
desire, yearn, cherish, admire, etc.
All the great religions of the world admonish their members to love one
another, as we express the rule in English. We must recognize that the sacred
writings of these religions are written in a foreign language and that the word
' love" may have lost its correct meaning when translated into English. It has
been customary in translations to use the word "love" in English in the belief
that it comes closest to the meaning intended in the original religious works.
This may or may not be a specifically correct translation. The universal
existence ot this word in holy writings may be illustrated by an examination of
the Holy Bible. In the Old Testament (Revised Standard Version) we find "you
shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). In the New Testament we
find a number of passages: "This I command you, to love one another" (John
15:17); "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44). Illustrations from other great
religions are noted such as the Chinese character is which conveys the idea of
"love". The Confucian virtue known as jen is variously translated as "goodness",
"benevolence", "human-heartedness", 'love." Mohammed, in his Speeches and
Table-Talk, said, "He who is not loving to God's creatures and to his own
children, God will not be loving to him." Similar sentiments are expressed in
the holy books of all the great religions of the world.
The use of the word "love" is too broad to be applicable to Freemasonry.
Closer are the words "brotherly love." the Holy Bible uses these words in a
number of places. in Romans (12:10) appears "Love one another with brotherly
affection; outdo one another in showing honor. ' In Hebrews (13: 11) we find
"Let brotherly love continue." In Peter II (1:7) we find "brotherly affection
with love." Better known are the words of the Gentle Carpenter when He said, "A
new commandment I give to you, that you love one another." The Old Testament was
written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Aramaic and Creek. The idea of loving
one another was not one of the Ten Commandments, but it does appear in the Old
Testament (as quoted from Leviticus above) so that the rule was not really a
"new" one. It was intended to call attention to the disputing and arguing that
was going on about the laws and customs which amounted to hair-splitting. The
Gentle Carpenter was urging his listeners to return to the basic meaning of the
rules of human conduct. In a sense, He was restating a universal Truth that has
stood the test of time.
The idea of love has been extolled in many ways through the ages. For
example, the fifteenth edition of Bartlett 's Familiar Quotations (1980), has
over five pages with three columns, listing quotations explaining "love".
Dante's Divine Comedy is one of the great epic works of world literature. It
starts with a feeling of despair. On the door of the Inferno (hell) are the
words: "Abandon every hope, you that enter." By the time the trip was over,
after going through Paradise, a comparison is made with the Geometer who applies
himself to measuring the circle with his desire and his will. revolving like a
wheel that is easily moved "by the Love which moves the sun and other stars."
Love exists everywhere and permeates all human activities from personal
relationships to offices located on Madison Avenue. Here are a few examples that
quickly come to mind. Many people classify June as the "love month" because so
many marriages take place during this month. February 14 is known as Valentine's
Day and is dedicated to the idea of romantic love. In a recent magazine
advertisement glowingly praising the vacation attractions of one of our
Midwestern states, it is said, "When you want to get away and enjoy all the
things you love. . ." A dog kennel not far from my home has a large sign with
these words: "Archer Puppies. Buy Some Love--Woof, Woof." On a recent
television commercial, baby diapers were advertised called "Luvs". For many
years there has been syndicated in many newspapers all over the country a small
item with the title "Love is . . ." It is usually followed with a picture of a
comic boy and girl with a short, appropriate statement. Here are several
illustrations of words added at the bottom of the item: "Having respect for
her point of view"; after a picture of the boy and girl riding a horse, the
words "horsing around together"; and after a picture of the boy with a spade in
one hand and wiping his forehead with a handkerchief, the words "licking the
garden in shape for her."
Even the world of sports has not escaped the word "love." In tennis the word
is used to keep score. Each tennis player's score starts with "O" or "Love" at
the beginning of the game. This is not intended to mean that the players are in
love with each other, nor is it intended to convey the idea that the game is
promoting a religious or moral lesson. The word enters the game from the French
word "I'oeuf" meaning "the egg." When the word is pronounced in English, it
sounds like the word "love," and thus became part of the game.
Love has also reached the United States Post Of fice. On February I, 1982, a
stamp was released in Boston, Massachusetts with yellow, green, red, purple and
blue colored flowers arranged to form the word LOVE. The official description
of this twenty-cent stamp is as follows: "Designed by artist Mary Faulconer of
New York City, the 'LOVE' stamp visually embraces the warmth and joy of the
very word itself. To symbolize 'LOVE', gaily colored flowers were selected to
create each letter, 'to give form to the word and convey a sense of meaning,
delicacy and strength at the same time,' according to the artist. The letter 'L'
is formed by miniature red poppies' the letter 'O' by painted daisies and
Johnny-jump-ups (miniature pansies); the 'V' by cornflowers (or bachelor's
buttons); and the 'E' was created with coral-bells. "
Since the dawn of history, poets and song writers have extolled the
attractions of romantic love. In recent years a friendly sort of love has been
expounded in lectures, television programs, and several books by Dr. Leo
Buscaglia, Professor of Education at the University of Southern California. The
large and enthusiastic audiences which he attracts to his lectures prove the
subject of Love is never out-of-style. When his book Living, Loving & Learning
became a best seller for many weeks, it created interest in his earlier book
entitled Love. Before too many weeks, it also became a best seller. His basic
theme is that love knows no age; each person needs to love and be loved; before
you can love others you must first love yourself; and that love involves
responsibility. In his lectures he exhibits an unbounded enthusiasm which is
contagious as he urges his listeners to reach out and touch someone and thereby
help themselves and the other person.
Because the word "love" in English is a broad one, it is not unusual for
persons to use it incorrectly. For example, a person who says, "I love apple
pie," really means, "I enjoy eating apple pie." The religious precept that you
shall "love your neighbor as yourself" can be easily misunderstood and may stem
from the failure of the translation to convey the correct intended meaning.
Sometimes this rule is criticized as being impractical because one cannot love
another person as much as himself. The truth is that the rule is practical, but
the word used in English is not the correct one. Using one possible definition
of the English word, if you have an excessive love of yourself as a person, you
can hardly be expected to carry this sort of feeling toward others.
This rule cannot be followed literally, especially if one applies the
dictionary definition that the word "love" means the excessive love of one's
self. It brings to mind the story in Greek mythology of Narcissus who was loved
by Echo, a mountain nymph. Narcissus was too much in love with himself and
spurned her love. Echo became very sad and Aphrodite, the god of Love, decided
to punish Narcissus for his attitude. He was induced to drink water at a certain fountain. Seeing his own image reflected in the pool, Narcissus was so
seized with a passion for himself that he pined away. The gods transformed him
into a flower which now bears his name. Because of this story, psychoanalysts
describe excessive self-love as Narcissism. Sometimes this defect in one's
feelings directs one's sexual instinct towards one's own body. The person
afflicted with Narcissism often is indifferent to other persons unless, by
attracting their favorable attention, the self-love of the narcissist is
enhanced. Since this is not a normal or desirable trait in a human being, we can
reasonably assume that the idea of "self-love" is not meant by this religious
commandment. Again we learn that the English word "love" does not correctly
describe the feeling that is meant to be encouraged.
A consideration of this subject leads us to remember the great part that the
word "charity" plays in Masonic philosophy. It is derived from the Latin word
"caritas" which is translated to the word "love." Older translations of the
Holy Bible translated the word to "charity" but recent translations have the
language closer to contemporary understanding and have used the word "love"
instead of the word "charity," This is not a radical change because even the
giving of alms should be accompanied with the spirit of love rather than any
other feeling.
The English word which would more correctly reflect what is meant by this
universal religious rule of love would be the word "Kindness. " 'rhe American
Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1969) defines "charity" as "the
quality or state of being kind" and it defines the word "kind" as being "of a
friendly, generous or hospitable nature; warmhearted; good." Also included
in the definition is the idea of being charitable, helpful, compassionate,
humane, considerate, tolerant, courteous, gentle, and showing sympatny and
understanding. All of these traits are admirable and are easier to understand
in one's heart and to develop in one's conduct than the idea of "love" which is
correctly defined as an excessive feeling of warmth and admiration.
The word "kindness" appears in many places in the Holy Bible. In Genesis
(20:13) Abraham says: "This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to
which we come, say to me, He is my brother." In Job (6:14) it is said: "He who
withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty." In
Proverbs (21 21) it is said: "He who pulses righteousness and kindness will
find life and honor." In Galatians (5:22) it is said: "But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness."
Sophocies many years ago made the following observation: "For kindness begets
kindness evermore." Henry Burlon gave the following advice: "Have you had any
kindness shown? Pass it on." Aesop, the ancient writer of stories with a moral,
in The Lion and the Mouse said: "No act of kindness is ever wasted." Rousseau
wrote: "What wisdom can we find that is greater than kindness? "
There are times when the words "love" and " kindness" are linked together.
William Wordsworth did this in 1798 in his "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above
Tintern Abhey." He said: "The best portion of a good man's life, his little
nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love." Las Casas, in his
Apologetic History wrote: ". . . the method that is proper and natural to men is
used, that is, love and gentleness and kindness. '
Since the rule requires you to be as kind to others as you are to yourself,
the question arises, what does one do to be kind to himself? In order to be able
to be kind toward others, you must maintain your physical and mental health by
doing the things in your everyday life that will maintain your strength and well
being, do interesting and meaningful work that gives you pleasure, and lead a
good. clean and moral life. Only in this way will you be happy and able to be
kind to others.
All of the traits covered in the word "kindness" are good and easier to
follow, understand, and develop than the ideas conveyed with the broad and
indefinite word "love", which, strictly speaking, means an excessive feeling.
Many persons rebel at the idea of loving one's neighbor but welcome the idea of
being kind. We might go so far as to say that the word "kindness" is the magic
word which can solve many personal and community problems. It is not an
exaggerated word such as "love", and covers a variety of situations. Consider
how easy it is to be kind by using at the proper time the words "please," or
"thank you," or "I am sorry." Closely related to the word "kindness" is the word
"respect." In both words is the implied recognition of the value of the other
person's feelings.
In Freemasonry the problem is simplified because the tenets of the Craft are
Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. The word "brotherly" modifies the broad
meaning of the word "love" when used by itself. The Prestonian lecture of the
First Degree describes the beginning of the statement as follows: "By the
exercise of Brotherly Love we are taught to regard the whole human species as
one family--the high and the low, the rich and the poor--who, as created by the
one almighty parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support,
and protect each other. On this principle Masonry unites men of every country,
sect and opinion, and causes true friendship to exist among those who might
otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance." The addition of the word
"brotherly" before the word "love" not only restricts the meaning but reduces
the possibility of misinterpretation.
Dr. James Anderson, in his famous Constitutions of the Freemasons,
published in 1723, lists many Charges to a member of the Craft. The list ends as
follows: "Finally, All these Charges you are to observe, and all those that
shall be communicated to you in another way; cultivating Brotherly-Love, the
Foundation and Capstone, the Cement and Glory of this Ancient Fraternity." We
further carry forth this thought by incorporating into our ceremonies the 133rd
Psalm which starts with the words: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for
brothers to dwell in unity."
There comes to mind the story in Genesis about Cain killing his brother Abel.
When the Lord inquired (4:8-9) of Cain: "Where is Abel your brother?" he
replied: "I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?" ln Freemasonry there can be
no doubt whatsoever that this question must be answered in the affirmative.
The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry has a degree called the Rose Croix Degree
which has as its theme the quotation from the New Testament: "A new
commandment I give unto you, that you love one another." While to a Christian
member this may represent a religious Truth, it is not so intended in this
Degree but is designed to express a universal Truth recognized by all the
great religions of the world. The emblem of this Degree is a cross upon which
rests a rose. The cross is a symbol of space and infinity; the rose is a symbol
of the dawn. Sometimes a banner is used in this Degree with the words: "Faith,
Hope, and Charity," which are words found in all the great religions. The basic
message of this Degree is that all men are brothers and that we are our
brother's keeper.
The theme of love is found in the goals and purposes of the appendant Masonic
bodies and youth groups, emphasizing the promotion of "brotherly love," "love of
country," "love of parents, " and the adherence to the principles of charity,
relief and kindness.
If we substitute the word "kindness" for the word "love" we are really
conveying the idea of what is truly meant by "love" in Freemasonry. The idea
is well expressed in a poem whose author is unknown:
If we can ease a brother's sorrow And aid him in distress;
If we can brighten his tomorrow With deeds of kindliness; Then we have found
God's meaning Of the word called Charity For when we give ourselves away We've
found life's mystery.
There have been innumerable stories written in which Love is the vital core
of the narrative. The greatest love story ever written is the one that explains
that God loves each and every one of us; that we can best show our appreciation
for His love by emulating Him; always being kind in words, thoughts, and deeds
when dealing with His children.
Bro. Cerza's address is 237 Millbridge Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546.
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