Why have you come into this world?

Today's reading is from one of the most loved of Persian Poets, Hafiz.

There is a beautiful passion for peace in this poem, and a longing to see and hear and experience life in union with God. What would that be like?

Here is the answer Hafiz gives us. I wonder what yours would be.

I have come into the world to see this:

all creatures holding hands

as we pass through this miraculous existence we all share

on the way to an even greater being of soul,

a being of just ecstatic light

forever entwined and at play with God.

I have come into the world to hear this:

Every song the earth has sung

since it was conceived in the Divine Womb

and began spinning from Her wish;

every song by wing and fin and hoof,

every song by hill and tree and field and stream and rock,

every song of woman and child

every song of tool and lyre and flute

every song of gold and emerald and fire,

every song the heart should cry

with magnificent dignity,

to know itself itself as God incarnate.

For all other knowledge will leave us again

in want and aching.

Only imbibing the glorious sun will complete us.

I have come into the world to experience this:

People so true to love they would rather die

before speaking an unkind word.

People so true, their lives are God's Covenant,

the promise of hope.

I have come into the world to see this:

the sword drop from men's hands

even at the height of their arc of rage

because they have finally realized

there is just one flesh we can wound--

the Beloved's.

This is my prayer of response:

Beloved One, what Hafiz came into this world to see, to hear, to experience,

I intend to live out in my own life.

I will reach out and hold hands with all creatures

who pass through this marvelous life with me.

I will let my soul of Light ecstatically entwine and play with You, Beloved.

I will sing with earth, moon, stars,

with rivers, oceans, and rain.

I will join in the song of birds, fish, insects,

and every kind of animal.

I will sing with voice and flute

as I imbibe the glorious Sun.

I will speak kindly and live truly,

that others may have hope.

i will drop the sword of anger

and refrain from wounding another

knowing we are all

Your flesh.