Agape

AGAPE

Agape is an important part of Masonic life and is a formal dinner organized after ritual or conference work. Over time, the essential meaning of this custom has faded, so it is good to remember what agape is and why informal Masonic meetings are called that.

Agape, as a concept, appears for the first time in the Hellenic period as a counterweight to the harsh realism of power described by Thucydides in the famous Dialogue of the Melians and the Athenians. The inhabitants of the neutral island of Melos refused to submit to the Athenian alliance, appealing to justice, the gods and the hope of help. The Athenians answered them with words that still resonate today as the most honest and terrifying definition of human relations:

"Of the gods we suppose to rule by might, and of men we know that the stronger rule the weaker. We do what we can, and you suffer what you must."

Agape is defined as unconditional brotherly love between people, despite suffering, the beauty of human imperfection and stands for a world of true wisdom where dominance over the weaker becomes a sign of profound cognitive and moral backwardness. Other types of love, according to the ancient Greeks, are conditioning, so:

• eros is based on sexual attraction;
• storgé is a feeling based on blood relation;
• philía is a warm friendly love based on mutual respect.

The Christian tradition is mostly concerned with the fourth type of love (agape) and the Holy Scriptures define it as a love based on principle, a love that is synonymous with selflessness. The apostle John points to this when he says:

"God is love."

In the Bible, agape is most often defined as Christian love, and a great contribution to the description of what is and what is not agape is given by the apostle Paul in his chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13, verses 4-8).

It is especially important for a Mason to study and understand what constitutes a behavioral problem and to work on himself, which is the essence of the Masonic brotherhood. The apostle Paul, as bad behavior that contradicts the concept of brotherly and Christian love (agape), describes:

• The first thing Paul says love is not is that it is "not jealous." Here "jealous" is defined as "one who does not tolerate rivalry" and as "one who demands exclusive devotion". Such jealousy is selfish and causes hatred, and hatred is the opposite of love.
• Paul then tells us that love "does not boast." Bragging reveals a lack of love, because it causes a person to place himself above others. A person often brags recklessly because he is overly satisfied with his own achievements or possessions. All of this is unkind because it portrays the braggart as superior to his listeners.
  
  
• We are then told that love "does not puff up." One who is haughty or haughty unkindly elevates himself above others. Such a mental attitude is extremely unreasonable because "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Nothing should be done for defiance or for empty glory, but let humility make you consider others greater than yourself.
  
  
• Paul goes on to say that love "does not act unseemly." The one who behaves rudely (unkindly) does not consider the feelings of others. Such a person despises what is considered right and proper.
  
  
• Then we are told that love "seeks no self-interest," that is, when it comes to our own interests and the interests of others. When our interests come into conflict with the interests of another, we should do as Abraham did with Lot, graciously letting the other person have the upper hand (Genesis 13:8–11).
  
  
• Love is also not easily offended. That is why Paul tells us that love "is not provoked." She is not sensitive. She shows self-control.

All these, as well as many other teachings, can be found in the book on which Masons take their oaths.

Therefore, finally, the old message in a modified version:

"Books in hand, brothers, not paper hats, wooden mallets and plastic swords."