A beautiful thing about our chosen family of Odd Fellows is that we have pledged in earnest, to uplift, to provide for, and to care for one another. We center these things so much in fact, that our relief of the distressed extends beyond the borders of this Order.
Because our friendly society creates a culture of care and mutual aid, we can hold one another more accountable to that standard, and we can each grow and be better as a result.
Now, here is something a bit more nuanced — a question to consider. Is it our fraternal association with one another that makes us realize all are worthy to be cared for? Or, is our agreement that all are worthy to be cared for the reason that we joined together in fellowship, to relieve the distressed, and to celebrate Friendship, Love and Truth. Does our union within Odd Fellowship give rise to us seeing the humanity of others? Or do we see that humanity first, which compels us to unite as Odd Fellows?
Some might wonder if this difference matters. Some might wonder if it is all the same, if in the end we treat our fellow humans as kin, and work together to build a better world. It’s absolutely true that both roads can lead to a positive destination, but there is something stronger about seeing the humanity of everyone, first. If your pledge is the sole reason for you to acknowledge the worthiness of your fellow humans, then you have built a new and untested dam to hold back a less enlightened nature. If you have believed that all were worthy before your pledge however, then you have invaluable experience upholding those values. And that same newly built dam has a much more solid foundation to stand upon.
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