Tears

There is such beauty in pain – if only I had the faith to see it…

Sufferings of Christ (Unknown)

While tears may look like water flowing from the eyes, they are actually a solution that contains water, salt and oils.  This unique combination means that though tears may look like they dry and disappear, if we were to look at tears under the microscope, we would be able to see that they are not nothing after they dry but instead a complex series of patters that look much like a snowflake.

And I have been thinking about that.

People cry for a number of reasons.  Perhaps they cry because they feel sad.  Other times they cry form happiness and joy.  Again, there may be times when they cry from pain or the feeling of being overwhelmed.  Grief – which is really just another expression of love – is another good reason for people to cry.

And I have been thinking about all of this and also thinking about the reasons that we cry.

Those tears of grief and pain and sadness and – perhaps equally – those tears of joy and happiness, are a reflection of the various experiences of our life in Christ.

You see, God Himself weaves the tapestry of our lives.  Sometimes in that weaving there are dark threads and sometimes light ones (just as shadow is used in painting to focus the viewer on the highlights).  And just as the shadow is as equally important to beauty of the end result, so too are the sorrows equally important to the beauty of the tapestry of our lives.

Those tears are – to me – a reminder of the importance of the sadness in my life.  Sadness is often the result of suffering.  But it does not have to be.  You see, when suffering is undertaken without any purpose it is indeed the most terrible torment.  In some ways this is the torment of the damned in Hell.  Those lost souls suffer without purpose eternally.  Not only will their pain never be alleviated, but they will not merit anything through their suffering.

But this is not the suffering that we on Earth (or the Holy Souls in Purgatory) are asked to endure suffering for the sake of sacrifice.  And that sacrifice is for the salvation of souls.  You see, nobody merits salvation.  One single sin would result in complete and utter damnation without mercy according to PERFECT justice.  After all, it is only completely fair that is I break a rule that is clearly outlined to me that I should bear the consequences for that break – which are also clearly outlined to me.

BUT – those tears – which leave beautiful microscopic patters – are a reminder of the benefit of suffering like that.  They are the result of the sort of suffering that leaves me with a chance of eternal life.  And that is easier to say than to do.  After all, it is one thing to consider suffering in theory and quite another to nurse a loved one in palliative care as they slowly and painfully die – too young – of cancer.

And still thinking about the microscopic beauty of those tears, I am moved beyond words.  For there is such beauty in pain – if only I had the faith to see it…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.