Passages from the Church Fathers on tears. Reminds me of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5cmWYWiV-U
"Weep for the unbelievers; weep for those
who differ in nowise from them, those who depart hence without the
illumination, without the seal! They indeed deserve our wailing, they
deserve our groans; they are outside the Palace, with the culprits, with
the condemned: for ‘Verily I say unto you, except a man be born of
water and the Spirit, he shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven’
(John 3:5). Mourn for those who have died in wealth and did not from
their wealth think of any solace for their soul, who had power to wash
away their sins and would not…Let us weep for these; let us assist them
according to our power; let us think of some assistance for them¸ small
though it be, yet still let us assist them. How and in what way? By
praying and entreating others to make prayers for them, by continually
giving to the poor on their behalf…Not in vain did the Apostles order
that remembrance should be made of the dead in the dreadful Mysteries.
They know that great gain results to them, great benefit; for when the
whole people stands with uplifted hands, a priestly assembly, and that
awful Sacrifice lies displayed, how shall we not prevail with God by our
entreaties for them. And this we do for those who have departed in
faith."
-St. John Chrysostom
"[T]here are water and tears: the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance."
- St. Ambrose
"And grant
me that visible sign of Thy love, a cleansing ever flowing fountain of
tears, that these tears may also bear witness to Thy love in me, that they
may show, that they may tell, how much my soul doth love Thee: that in
the too great sweetness of Thy love it cannot withhold its tears."
-St. Augustine
