Midnight Tears

St Monica (on the pillar) by Benozzo Gozzoli (1420-1497)

(Image courtesy of Web Gallery of Art)

It has just gone past midnight and so it is the feast of St. Monica. The collect of her feast recalls God's merciful regard for her loving tears in bringing about the spiritual resurrection of her son Augustine and the gospel recalls the tears of the widow of Nain in bringing about the physical resurrection of her son.

Thomas a Kempis in his Meditations on the Life of Christ includes a brief chapter entitled On The Advantages and Grace of Holy Tears, which I now quote. But be warned that it is written in the pietist manner characteristic of Northern Europe in the 15th century, which some may find unpalatable.

Holy and devout tears repress the violence of the flesh, quench the fires of discord, cleanse the vicious appetite, take away the pride of the eyes, shun vain speaking, seek privacy, love silence, secure the fruits of prayer.

They drive away idleness, that enemy of the soul, destroy falsehood, jesting and laughter. They calmly consider the hour of death, the terror of judgment and the pains of hell. They break the snares of the devil, overcome the world's tumult, and lead the mourner to the kingdom of heaven. They blot out past transgressions and recover lost blessings. They teach us to shun dangers, to be much in retirement, to read holy books, to write well and pray often. They preserve the penitent in grace and gladden the devout with the hope of eternal glory.

O that I could more frequently experience this grace of tears, guard it more carefully; when lost, regain it by penitence, and so seeking speedily find it. He, who desires to have and hold this gift, should look closely into his evil ways, heartily thank God for his blessings, and bend before Him in profound lowliness. This is a task hard and grievous, yet most useful to the doer thereof, and in the end comforting indeed to the dying.

Blessed, therefore, are they who, sorrowing for their sins, oftimes mourn, for in due time being comforted, they shall rejoice with the angels for ever.