Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

There’s a phrase that lands with honor in every Masonic memorial service.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

It doesn’t come directly from Freemasonry. Not exactly.
It comes from something older.
Something deeper.

And it resonates with many Brethren who have entered the Lodge, taken the obligation, and been initiated in Freemasonry.

Straight from Matthew 25:21, this verse in the Parable of the Talents is more than a line of Scripture, it is an invitation to the reader/hearer to reflect, not just on his faith, but also to take stock of the rewards of a lifetime of actions led by Truth.

The verse reads:
.

“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Masons come from every faith tradition that acknowledges a Supreme Being, but the phrase holds significance across many backgrounds. These words serve as a reminder to individuals of the divine benefits derived from leading lives that demonstrate reverence to God and strong convictions shaped by their beliefs.

And if you’re exploring Freemasonry right now, you need to know something:

• This fraternity isn’t about titles or trophies.
• It’s not a club for elites.
• In the Lodge, you won’t find royalty (except maybe in the UK).
• It's not just a social or networking group

Here's what you will find:

• You'll find ordinary men… doing extraordinary things.
  
• You'll find men who embrace the lives they've been blessed with and are earnestly working to make every moment meaningful.

• You'll find men who've chosen not to hide their Light under a basket, but have allowed it to shine, by choosing to act rightly, even when it's difficult or unpopular.

• You'll find men who've shown the true value of being guided by a higher power so that we, too, could learn to shine in our own right.

Conclusion

In Matthew 25, three servants are entrusted with talents; a measure of wealth, yes, but more deeply understood to be a metaphor for the divine gifts found within every soul. Two invest what they’re given and double it. One hides his and loses it all in the end. The text examines the contrast of those who invest their gifts, vs. those who bury them.

The faithful ones don’t get trophies.
They get trusted with more.
They get promoted.
They get invited into “the joy of their Lord.”

The Parable of the Talents is about stewardship and an inspiration for how you might reflect on the measure of your own life. Does it inspire you to do anything differently? 

Because when the curtain closes, and our time here is complete, we’re not measured by how much we've gained materially, but how much Light we managed to provide for those around us.

You want to be a Mason?
Don’t just ask what you’ll get.
Ask yourself first, "who am I becoming."

And if one day, when your life is complete, the Great Architect of the Universe and your Brethren say: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Authors note: This article explores a phrase drawn from a Volume of Sacred text that carries weight in both a biblical and traditional sense. The words “Well done, good and faithful servant” are often spoken at the memorial service of a Brother because of the deep meaning they carry. This blog is not intended as a theological treatise or a doctrinal position, but as the author's reflection on the values that unite Masons. In Freemasonry, we believe the highest honor is not recognition, but seeing good men become better, and live lives of purpose, just like you. 

The perspectives and opinions presented in this blog are solely those of the author and do not represent the official stance or views of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, or any Lodge of Masons collectively.