Meditations

HAPPY TEARS Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5, 4 Such a new kind of tears, said St. Augustine, they make the people who shed them become happy. Their happiness comes from being afflicted and grieving over the corruption of the world around us, the world's pitfalls that surround and try to trap us, and the wickedness we see within our own hearts. It is a great gift from God to be afraid of losing His love, and to be afraid of straying from the narrow path. It is the one good possession in this life. When we are in danger of losing everything we have, and of losing even our own selves, should we not be full of joy? When all we see in ourselves is vanity, backsliding, scandal, forgetfulness of, and defiance toward God whom we love, we grieve. So let us weep when we see others and ourselves in God's holy light. Let us weep. Our sadness will gladden God's heart. He Himself is the one who inspires that sadness in us. It is His love that makes our tears flow. Then we will become happy, because God Himself will come and wipe away our tears.