Brethren, I hope you and yours are all keeping well and making the best you can of these difficult times. Sadly we have lost brethren and some have lost family and friends. On top of this we see madness at home and all over the world. It can be hard to keep positive.
As well as the some of the chaos we are experiencing in the UK, some administration seem so be at odds with just about every other country in the world as well as their own citizens.
This month alone has seen Chinese forces killing Indian soldiers at a disputed border. North Korea has blown up the joint liaison offices with the south and threatened to send troops into the demilitarisation zones. Poland has invaded the Czech Republic, albeit it seems by mistake.
These are just a few examples that have filtered through the news to me, mostly clogged up with Covid 19 information.
One of the good things to come out of the stay at home as much as possible and don’t journey more than about 5 miles is we are all meeting and getting to know our neighbours more. Dog walkers regularly pass the house. Families say hello when out for their exercise. Neighbours are working in their gardens washing their cars.
If the world could just get back to those basics. Acknowledge that black and indeed all lives matter. Respect other people’s religions and beliefs. Respect their colour and creed. Try to show understanding and tolerance.
In the Christian faith this is fundamental: Mathew Chapter 20: V36 to 40.
36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
If only we could all obey these commandments how much better would the world be?
Brethren, I hope you are finding that people are coming together to help one another, friends, family and neighbours all. I hope you are getting the support you need. If not let me, or a member of your Lodge, or of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West know and we will see what we can do to help.
Please love thy neighbour because if we all did that the world would be a better, happier, more positive place.
Bro George Carson
Provincial Grand Chaplain