"Woe unto them that...take away the right
from the poor of my people, that
widows may be their prey..."

Is. 10:1-2

No greater calamity can befall a man than to live his life in poverty, persecution or in a state of continuous victimization inflicted upon him by men of wealth, position and power. Not only does such a man live in misery, he lives in misery with the full knowledge that his fellow man cares little or nothing about his fate. Such a man has few, if any, champions to which he may turn. He is not likely a voter or campaign contributor and, thus, politicians give him low priority. He usually looks haggard and behaves bizarrely in public frightening many by both his appearance and his manner. He can even make some feel guilty that they have not done anything to help him, which evokes anger and resentment, rather than compassion.

There is a well-known Masonic saying: "Is there no help for the widow's son?" The Masonic Symbol Meaning is, if he happens upon a Freemason, for we are all "Sons of the Widow." As it is said, relief is a duty incumbent upon all men, but particularly upon Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. Masons care about the fate of their fellow man - or, at least they should care. But, social injustice includes more than living in poverty - it includes living under the yoke of oppression.

Every nation tolerates some level of oppression and social injustice. Some, such as America, tolerate less and thus are viewed by the world as doing a better job at eliminating such conditions. Yet, everywhere one looks he may find those who work in unsafe surroundings, some who labor for an inadequate wage, children who receive less than a good education, seniors who live among rats, families who receive little or no health care and worshippers of the Great Architect who are criticized because they do not worship in the same manner as do others. While those conditions are more prominent in other nations, they still exist in our own backyard and are the focus of consistent political debate. Should the people of this nation provide for the welfare of others or not? That is the question.

While governments and politicians argue about welfare systems and how best to deliver health care, and who should and should not benefit, Masons act, believing that every man, woman and child should benefit. Throughout the nation, homes are available for those in need - funded entirely by caring Masons and their families. In every country and in every clime, hospitals flourish to serve the needy children crippled in their bones and muscles. Eye care centers and speech clinics serve others and everywhere man cares to look Masons have reached out and given to those who are most in need. Freemasonry is not alone in this endeavor, as other fraternal organizations, churches and charitable institutions also do their part to alleviate the social injustice.