The Gift of Tears and the Experience of Grace

Part 6: Tears and Repentance:

6.1: The Gift of Tears and the Experience of Grace

Opening Reflection

In the Orthodox spiritual tradition, the gift of tears is more than a physical expression of emotion—it is a sign of grace descending into the heart, softening it, and drawing it closer to God. These tears are not ordinary but are considered a spiritual phenomenon, revealing God's presence and the soul’s genuine return to Him.

This lesson will explore how the Fathers viewed tears as a mystical gift tied to repentance (ንስሐ), healing, purification, and joy. We will also explore the connection between tears and the experience of divine grace (መለኮታዊ ጸጋ ፣ ስጦታ), as described by saints and Church Fathers.

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1. What Are Spiritual Tears?

• Different from emotional weeping
  Spiritual tears are not caused by sorrow in the worldly sense. They are fruits of divine grace, born out of repentance, humility, and desire for union with God.
• Healing and transformative
  Tears cleanse the soul, open the heart, and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell more fully in a person.

“Tears shed out of love for God purify the soul, and through them the fire of the passions is quenched.” – St. John Climacus, The Ladder, Step 7

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2. Biblical Witness to Grace-Filled Tears

• Mary Magdalene (Luke 7: 36 - 50)
  She washed Christ’s feet with her tears—tears of repentance and love. Christ says:
  “Her many sins are forgiven, for she loved much.” “ስለዚህ እልሃለሁ፥ እጅግ ወዳለችና ብዙ ያለው ኃጢአትዋ ተሰርዮላታል”  (Luke 7:47)
• King David (Psalm 6:6–9)
  “I am weary with my groaning; every night I flood my bed with tears… The Lord has heard the voice of my weeping.” “በጭንቀቴ ደክሜያለሁ፤ ሌሊቱን ሁሉ አልጋዬን አጥባለሁ፥ በዕንባዬም መኝታዬን አርሳለሁ። ….እግዚአብሔር ልመናዬን ሰማኝ፤ እግዚአብሔር ጸሎቴን ተቀበለ።”(Psalm 6:6–9)
• St. Peter (Matthew 26:75)
  After denying Christ, Peter “wept bitterly.” This moment marked the beginning of his deep restoration through grace. “ጴጥሮስም፦ ዶሮ ሳይጮኽ ሦስት ጊዜ ትክደኛለህ ያለው የኢየሱስ ቃል ትዝ አለው፤ ወደ ውጭም ወጥቶ መራራ ልቅሶ አለቀሰ።”(Matthew 26:75)

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3. The Fathers on the Gift of Tears

• St. Isaac the Syrian (613 - 700 AD)

“More than all things, let us seek tears from God, for they wash the soul as water cleanses the body.”

He emphasizes that the first sign of spiritual renewal is the gift of tears.

• St. John Climacus (579 –  649 AD)
  Calls tears “a second baptism,” a new beginning that renews the soul when it has been darkened by sin.
• St. Symeon the New Theologian (949 – 1022 AD)

“When a man begins to shed tears in abundance, he has received the grace of God. These tears are the Spirit's testimony within him.”

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4. The Experience of Grace through Tears

Tears are often a sign that the Holy Spirit is active within the person:

• They are linked to illumination (spiritual insight).
• They are accompanied by inner stillness, warmth in the heart, and peace.
• They bring about a gentle sorrow, full of hope and sweetness, not despair.

“True compunction (repentance) is not a violent sorrow, but a sweet sadness that draws the soul toward the arms of the Father.” – Elder Ephraim of Philotheou (Eastern Orthodox Elder)

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5. Examples from the Lives of the Saints

• St. Arsenius the Great  (350 – 445 AD) was sitting in his cell, weeping for hours. When asked why, he said: “I have not yet begun to repent.”
• St. Mary of Egypt (344–421 AD): After years in the desert, her heart melted in repentance and divine love. The tears she shed were signs of her soul being washed and sanctified by grace.
• St. Silouan of Mount Athos (1866 – 1938 AD): frequently wept during prayer for the whole world. He wrote:

“He who has the Holy Spirit within him sheds tears for all the world.”

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6. Tears and Theosis (Union with God)

• The gift of tears prepares the soul for divine union.
• It softens the heart, removing pride, resistance, and distractions, so that the image of God is restored.
• Through tears, the soul becomes transparent to God’s light.

“Just as fire purifies metal, tears purify the soul.” – St. Hesychius the Priest

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7. Can This Gift Be Desired?

Yes—but not claimed. The saints teach:

• Ask humbly, with sincere prayer.
• Practice daily repentance, fasting, and self-examination.
• Do not seek emotions, but seek humility and love for God.
• Be content with dry prayer, if tears do not come; they will come in God's time.

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8. Practical Suggestions

Here are some practical ways to cultivate the gift of tears and a repentant heart:

·       Quiet daily prayer – This opens the heart to receive divine grace.

·       Reading the Psalms – Especially Psalms 6, 32, 38, and 50, which stir compunction (repentance) and humble sorrow.

·       Confession (ኃጢአትን መናዘዝ) – Restores the purity of the soul through the grace of forgiveness.

·       Remembering Christ’s Sufferings – Meditating on His suffering awakens both love for Him and sorrow for our sins.

·       Journaling after prayer – Helps you notice and track the spiritual movements of your heart over time.

Conclusion

The gift of tears is a quiet miracle of grace — a gentle sign that God is softening the heart, healing the soul, and drawing it closer to Him. The Orthodox Fathers saw this gift not as mere emotion, but as a profound fruit of repentance, humility, and divine love — one of the very ways they succeeded in their ascetical life and advanced toward theosis. As the saints remind us, we cannot force this gift but can prepare ourselves through daily prayer, repentance, and love for God. May our hearts remain open to this kind visitation of the Spirit, so that even our tears become prayers, washing and renewing us on the path to union with Him.

Reflection Questions

• Have I ever experienced tears in prayer—not from pain, but from love?
• What obstacles in my heart prevent me from deeper contrition?
• Do I truly desire to be cleansed, not just forgiven?

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Closing Prayer

“O Lord Jesus Christ, soften our hearts with the dew of Your mercy. Grant us the grace of holy compunction and tears that heal. Let our soul be washed by the river of grace, so that we may draw near to You with purity and love. Through the prayers of the Theotokos and all the saints, have mercy on us and lead us to the joy of repentance. Amen.”