The Ugliness of Sin

Hieronymus Bosch, Christ carries the Cross, 1515-16

Whenever I see this picture I am struck by the sheer ugliness (as I'm sure was the artist's intent). Jesus, You became that? You dwelt among that? Wow. Good works can make us feel that we are becoming worth of God. They can trick us to thinking that we could be His equal. This picture is so humbling. How could we, in this sin filled world, be worth of He who is most pure, good and lovely? How could we ever earn such a selfless Love? 
Look at the picture. 
O, if only we could see how truly disfigured we are by sin. Sin tears us away from God who is the source of all Goodness, Truth and Beauty. How can anything posses those qualities without drawing near to the source? The world was dark and ugly but our most gracious Lord entered it humbly and was victor over sin and death. He not only gave hope for redemption but He remains with us on earth. Visit often our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and speak to Him in prayer for He is the Light in this dark world, Beauty in the face of sin, Hope for the hopeless, and the truest Love we shall ever know :)