Rumi: Listen to the Reed Flute
Exploring Rumi’s tale of the reed, this piece delves into humanity’s separation from God and the longing to return to Him. It celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth, highlighting His role as the way back to our origin. Through the Gospel, Jesus transforms lives, reconnecting us with God, our true source of life.
How beautifully Rumi says:
“Listen to the reed as it tells its tale,
Of separations, it weeps and wails.”
What kind of separation is Rumi speaking of? Through this reed, is it lamenting separation, or recounting it? What is this tale? What kind of separation is this, that the reed, with all its pain, tells us about?
“Listen to the reed… if you have ears to hear, listen to the reed.” As we continue, we learn more about this separation:
“Listen to the reed as it tells its tale,
Of separations, it weeps and wails.
Since from the reed bed they tore me away,
Men and women have wept in dismay.
A heart I need, torn and pierced by the knife,
To share the pain of longing and life.”
We have been separated from the reed bed; we have been cut off from our source. Toward the end of the poem, Rumi says:
“Whoever is far from their origin,
Will long to return, again and again.”
Thus, the reed tells the story of our separation. It is the story of our estrangement from our origin. When we read the Word of God, we see that in the Garden of Eden, humanity became separated from God. Ever since, we have longed to return to our source. This is everyone’s story:
“Listen, my friends, to this tale so true,
It is the story of me and you.”
We are in exile; we are far from God, and we long to return to our origin. The good news of the Gospel is that in Jesus Christ, we can return to our source. Our lives can be transformed, our identities renewed. We, who were separated from God, can be reunited with Him.
This is the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to give us a way to return to our source.
Rumi says:
“Listen to the reed as it tells its tale.”
But the second tale—the continuation of this story—is found in the Gospel. Rumi speaks of separation, but the Gospel speaks of reunion with our origin. Today is the day of Jesus Christ’s birth. That is why we want to celebrate this blessed day, this holy day, this day full of joy, hope, and love with you.
Merry Christmas! And if you want to reconnect with your origin, read the Gospel and see that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.