In the Wards of Humanity: A Universal Masonic Reflection - “DIFFERENT WOLDS INTERSECT ACCORDING TO A DIVINE DESIGN .. AND WE REALIZE THAT ALONE, WE ARE NOTHING.""

25th April 2025

Preface by W Bro Louis Ruehlmann

This story first reached me not through a book or lecture, but as a quiet message shared in one of our Masonic chat groups here in Malaysia. At the time, we were all reflecting on the recent passing of Pope Francis—a global spiritual leader known for his humility, compassion, and deep concern for humanity. The story, attributed to him, felt especially timely.

It spoke of hospitals, of humanity unmasked, and of the invisible threads that connect us in moments of pain and care. But more than that, it reminded me of the values we, as Freemasons, also hold sacred: brotherhood, truth, relief, and the recognition of our shared human frailty.

I was moved not only to share the story but also to reflect upon it through the lens of our Craft. The article that follows is my humble attempt to do just that. May it inspire in you the same sense of connection and purpose that it stirred in me.

This article was created with the help of modern tools, but shaped by timeless Masonic principles. While some phrasing benefited from AI assistance, the spirit, selection, and final expression of this article reflect my vision and editorial guidance.

 A visual reflection of compassion in diversity:

The Story: A Hospital’s Quiet Lessons

Attributed to Pope Francis

"The walls of hospitals have heard more honest prayers than churches...They have witnessed far more sincere kisses than those in airports...It is in hospitals that you see a homophobe being saved by a gay doctor.A privileged doctor saving the life of a beggar…In intensive care, you see a Jew taking care of a racist …A police officer and a prisoner in the same room receiving the same care...A wealthy patient waiting for a liver transplant, ready to receive the organ from a poor donor …It is in these moments, when the hospital touches the wounds of people, that different worlds intersect according to a divine design. And in this communion of destinies, we realize that alone, we are nothing.The absolute truth of people, most of the time, only reveals itself in moments of pain or in the real threat of an irreversible loss.A hospital is a place where human beings remove their masks and show themselves as they truly are, in their purest essence.This life will pass quickly, so do not waste it fighting with people.Do not criticize your body too much.Do not complain excessively.Do not lose sleep over bills.Make sure to hug your loved ones.Do not worry too much about keeping the house spotless.Material goods must be earned by each person—do not dedicate yourself to accumulating an inheritance.You are waiting for too much: Christmas, Friday, next year, when you have money, when love arrives, when everything is perfect...Listen, perfection does not exist.A human being cannot attain it because we are simply not made to be fulfilled here.Here, we are given an opportunity to learn.So, make the most of this trial of life—and do it now.Respect yourself, respect others. Walk your own path, and let go of the path others have chosen for you.Respect: do not comment, do not judge, do not interfere.Love more, forgive more, embrace more, live more intensely!And leave the rest in the hands of the Creator."

Why This Speaks to All of Us—Across Cultures and Religions

Though attributed to Pope Francis, this message is not exclusively Christian—it resonates across all spiritual paths. Its wisdom reflects universal truths found in every major faith and tradition:

· Compassion for the vulnerable lies at the heart of Islam’s zakat, Buddhism’s karuṇā (loving-kindness), Hinduism’s seva (selfless service), Christianity’s charity, and Judaism’s mitzvah of helping others.

· (Italics used for foreign terms for clarity and standard style.)The impermanence of life and call to moral living is echoed in every religious philosophy—from the Buddhist concept of anicca (impermanence), to the Hindu wheel of rebirth, to the Qur’an’s reminder that “every soul shall taste death.”

· The emphasis on forgiveness, respect, and humility can be found in the teachings of Confucius, the Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Psalms of David, and the sayings of the saints and sages from East and West.Ultimately, this story reminds us that human suffering levels all distinctions. In our shared moments of need, the lines of race, wealth, religion, and ideology fade. What remains is what connects us: our shared humanity, our shared journey, and our shared need for kindness and mercy.

A Masonic Response: Where Worlds Meet on the Level

Freemasonry, too, builds upon these same truths. It is a Brotherhood where men of every creed are united—not by dogma, but by shared moral purpose.Equality on the LevelIn Lodge, like in the hospital ward, all are equal. We leave titles at the door and meet as Brothers, each striving to perfect the rough ashlar of our character.Relief Without JudgmentThe story’s examples of selfless service without prejudice mirror our obligation to offer Relief to those in distress, regardless of who they are.Truth Beyond AppearancesAs Masons, we are taught to pursue Truth—not only in knowledge, but in living authentically. The story’s reminder that people “remove their masks” in crisis aligns with our own journey toward personal integrity.Mortality and PurposeJust as the story urges us to love now and live intensely, so too do our rituals remind us that time is fleeting, and we must act with virtue today.

Conclusion: A Lodge for All Humanity

Let this message—whoever its author may be—remind us that the Lodge is not a place for idle formality, but for sincere Brotherhood.

May we be more than Masons in name—let us be builders of peace, lovers of truth, and servants of humanity.For in the end, as the story reminds us:“Different worlds intersect according to a divine design… and we realize that alone, we are nothing.”