Are tears of repentance a gift from God?

Right before the events of the crucifixion, Christ reproached His disciples saying, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24). He did not specify what they should ask for. Among the things that the faithful should ask for are tears of repentance, since Christ will never hold back such a precious gift from them.

St. Jacob of Sarug believes that the believer asks for this gift and receives it, only to give it back to Him who gave it to him, as the most precious offering that our Lord treasures.

“It is not hard for the Lord of Love to grant those who ask Him. Give Him little reason and He will grant you great riches … You who are guilty of recurring sins and uncountable iniquities, consecrate for God some water and He will accept it. He so asks from the sinful rich: Bring tears and come take for yourselves forgiveness … Some weeping here is hope for him who sins, for in hades no one will answer you even if you asked with wailing …”

“The rich man asked for a droplet of water (Luke 16:24) … but did not receive his request since he was not worthy. If he had asked here for an ocean, he would have received it. There, he supplicated for one droplet and was not given.”

“The adulterous woman offered her tears to the Creator of the rivers and seas, and He accepted her offering as a precious gift that He treasures, offered her forgiveness and purity, and kept her tears as an eternal remembrance and an eternal crown for her. As for the rich fool, who did not offer anything, he asked for a drop of water to cool his tongue but was never given.”

“Who is the outcast: the rich or the harlot? She offered tears and her remembrance was honored. She offered water from her eyes to the Lord of rivers and received cleansing in return. I wonder if that rich man was like the adulterous here, would he not have received when he asked? If he looked with love towards Lazarus, he would have enjoyed blessings in the Kingdom.”