these tears

Today in A Year with the Church Fathers, we hear from St Augustine, one of my favorite saints. He tells us about his mother, who prayed so earnestly and diligently for his salvation that he says he seemed to have little choice in the matter.

In fact, his mother went to a priest to ask for help because St Augustine had fallen into the Manichee heresy, and she wanted the priest to talk him out of it. But the priest very wisely said to give St Augustine some time, and that in his reading he would see the error of the heresy. This is what happened.

But the priest also said something very interesting, and it is something that is heartening to those who have loved ones who are away from God. When she was talking to the priest, he said, "It is not possible that the son of these tears should perish."

Do we have tears for the people that we know who are far from Jesus? If not, we can ask for them. God can soften our hearts so that we are able to weep again. And in that weeping, maybe we can find those who need Him. What St Monica was able to do for St Augustine, maybe we can do for those in our lives who need Him.

God, please show us who we can help find You again.