“When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking of Christ.”

- St. Ambrose of Milan

I often find it hard to get my mind wrapped around the idea of God’s mercy. Like the stars in the sky that remind me of the great vastness of the universe, I cannot even begin to fathom how unbelievably blessed I am to experience something so boundless and immeasurable, yet tangible and real.

In a very strange way, I am reminded of that awkward time in 7th grade when I finally began to grasp the idea that variables and letters, could represent numbers and values. While I couldn’t exactly explain the logic behind this unsettling discovery, I somehow found it easy to understand how these variables worked - this coming from someone who still thinks that variables are one of the greatest mysteries of life, next to women.

Coincidentally, much like my experience with the peculiar nature of variables, I still struggle with trying to comprehend the wonder and splendor that is my Father’s mercy, love, and compassion. But I am starting to realize in a more profound and concrete way, that unlike those pesky variables, I don’t need to comprehend them. I simply need to immerse myself in all that He is, and follow Him.

God’s grace has often been compared to the grandeur and depths of the ocean. And to think that this is the same ocean that envelops each and every one of us is beyond all human understanding, and yet, it somehow makes all the sense in the world when you come to realize just how much He loves us.

Too many a time have I felt undeserving of God’s mercy and wallowed in self-pity.

But I know that God calls me just as I am, flaws and all. He doesn’t love me for what I’ve done, but for who I am - His lover, His child, His friend.

So as we approach Ash Wednesday and Lent with contrite hearts, let us also reflect upon how the love of Christ has changed and transformed our lives.

It’s made all the difference in mine.