tears in spiritual life - Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius

He feels alienation in this present world and the feelings of
alienation make him weep. He is certain that his true joy is not
here. For he is a stranger on earth, a guest like all of his
forefathers, anticipating a heavenly homeland, the city which
has foundations (Heb 11:16, 10).
The feelings of the Psalmist were correct when he called
this world, “the Valley of Baca (Weeping)”.
About our lives in it he said, “As they pass through the
Valley of Baca” (Ps 84:6).
The saints used to weep when they sensed their alienation
in the world, yearning for a better world and renouncing all that
is in it. The joys of this world did not satisfy or please them.
Truly, man comprehends spiritual tears when he
reaches the life of renunciation.
When he arrives at renunciation, or at least to the love of
renunciation, then he weeps over the days which he spent being
attached to the trifles of the world and over his preoccupation
with it. He says to the Lord as Saint Augustine said, “I have
delayed too much in loving You, O You indescribable Beauty”.
Here, he remembers his sins, and its remembrance becomes
a spring for many tears.
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