On a Mission to Share God’s Unconditional Love

Father Edward Ahn’s journey to the priesthood is a testament to how God’s plans unfold in the ordinary moments of life and the deep longings of the heart. A priest for 12 years in Kansas City, Kansas, Father Edward shared his incredible story of surrender, grace, and discovering the unconditional love of God.

From Restlessness to Fulfillment

Born to parents who converted to the Catholic faith, Father Edward grew up witnessing a vibrant and intentional faith life. Yet, even as a child, he experienced a profound restlessness. At just five years old, he found himself asking life’s big questions: Is this all there is? This persistent longing for lasting joy and fulfillment would stay with him through adolescence and lead him down a path of deep searching.

Despite his strong upbringing, Father Edward struggled with a culture that seemed to find satisfaction in superficial pleasures. This tension culminated in high school, where he carefully planned a 40-year roadmap for success—college, career, family, and stability. But God had other plans.

A Gentle Crushing

Father Edward’s turning point came during his senior year of high school when his meticulously crafted plans fell apart. Rejected from his dream colleges, he found himself grappling with frustration and bitterness. Yet, it was in this moment of brokenness that he uttered a heartfelt prayer: God, what do You want?

God’s answer came slowly but powerfully. At World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, Father Edward encountered Pope John Paul II’s call to the youth: “Don’t settle for what the world offers. It is Jesus you seek.” For the first time, Father Edward glimpsed the beauty of a life fully surrendered to Christ.

God’s Unconditional Love

One of the most pivotal truths Father Edward discovered on his journey was the reality of God’s unconditional love. “God loves us forever, no matter what,” he shared, emphasizing how this truth transforms every aspect of our lives.

He described a moment of prayer where he felt God’s love in an undeniable way. The Lord revealed to him: “I knew every sin you would ever commit, and yet I still chose to create you out of love.” This revelation became a bedrock truth for Father Edward, freeing him from the lie that God’s love is something to be earned.

“God’s love isn’t conditional on how good we are—it simply is,” he explained. This profound understanding brought him peace, healing, and the courage to surrender fully to God’s plans. It’s a truth he now shares with others, particularly through the Sacraments and his ministry as a priest.

A Path to Priesthood

This encounter set Father Edward on a new trajectory. At the University of Illinois, he dove into the Sacraments, daily Mass, and prayer. Guided by spiritual direction, he began discerning his vocation. Though he initially assumed marriage was his calling, God slowly revealed a deeper invitation: to belong entirely to Him.

Father Edward’s discernment was marked by peace and freedom. He discovered that the call to priesthood wasn’t a rejection of marriage but an embrace of a greater love—a life fully given to God.

An Invitation for Us All

Father Edward’s journey reminds us of the profound reality of God’s unconditional love. It is a love that meets us where we are, but never leaves us there. It calls us into the fullness of life with Him through a dedicated daily relationship in and through the ups and downs of life.

Listen to Fr. Edward’s story now!

As you reflect on Father Edward’s story, consider how you might open your heart to God’s love today. What are the areas of your life where you need to trust Him more deeply? Let his story inspire you to take that next step in faith, knowing that God’s love is constant and unchanging.