PERSEVERANCE IN MERCY: A LENTEN REFLECTION

Isaw Lent as an opportunity to prove myself as a worthy disciple and a way to shock my spiritual life back into rhythm. Every year, my Lenten practice was to perform some grandiose act of mortification — going without shoes, sleeping on the floor, only eating one meal a day — with the hopes of growing closer to God. However, despite persevering in these disciplines for 40 days, not one of them impacted my spiritual life in the long run. A few weeks after Easter, I was right back in the same spiritual rut as before.

Last year was no different. I was struggling to adapt to the rapid changes in my life. Within the previous two years, I had gotten married, become a father and absorbed more responsibilities at work. I began seeking comfort in mindless activities rather than confronting my ever-growing exhaustion and anxiety. My spiritual foundation was deteriorating, and it showed. I was constantly absorbed in my phone, which made it difficult to have intentional quality time with my wife and kids, enjoy being in the present moment and find the motivation to pray.

I threw myself into Lent determined to eliminate everything that kept me from spending time in prayer in the hopes of becoming a better father, husband and disciple.

Two weeks into Lent, tension began to build between my wife and me. I was dedicating time to prayer and other spiritual disciplines, while she was drowning in household chores and taking care of our son. It seemed that my spiritual life and marriage life were opposed to one another.

And then one day I found this quote by Saint Josemaria Escriva: “Choose mortifications that do not mortify others.” Suddenly everything made sense.

What good was my fasting if it impeded my capacity to love those around me? My fasting only considered my own spiritual improvement, but it never occurred to me that the purpose for my fasting was to reflect the mercy of Christ to others.

I was meant to persevere, not in the 40-day goal I had set for myself, but in charity and mercy. My vocation was to grow in holiness through marriage by being merciful to my wife and children, which meant sacrific-

By Brad Horn, Director, Office of Youth Ministry Meet Brad Horn:

Brad took over as director of the diocesan Office of Youth Ministry on November 15, 2022, and has hit the ground running with intention and focus. He relocated his family from Texas to Kansas City to take the position with the diocese and is excited to “aid in the implementation of the Clear Path for Discipleship vision among the youth ministries in the diocese.” Brad and his wife Annamarie and two children, Lucas & Jacquelyn, are registered at Coronation of Our Lady Parish and are looking forward to fostering new relationships in the Kansas City Catholic community.

ing some of my disciplines in order to be more attentive to their needs. I needed to truly surrender myself completely to God and allow him to transform the desires in my heart so that they were in accordance with the desires of his will.

If we want Lent to transform our hearts, it must embody these three pillars — fasting, prayer and almsgiving (a.k.a. the works of mercy). Through fasting, we make room for God in our hearts; through prayer we allow God to fill our hearts with charity; and through almsgiving that charity is poured out into the world, just as the fountain of mercy flowed out from Jesus’ pierced side.

Lent is not about flexing our spiritual muscles or testing our willpower; it is about removing idols, reorienting our hearts towards God and allowing him to transform our lives by imitating Christ on the cross. We are to empty our hearts, sacrifice our will and learn to desire only God’s will. No matter what our Lenten sacrifices may be, they must increase in us the virtue of charity and lead us to acts of mercy towards our neighbor. Once we begin to allow God to transform our hearts, then we can truly hope to persevere as saints.

By Bridget Locke

Every spring, Christians worldwide participate in the Lenten season by engaging in 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This period of preparation, prior to celebrating the Lord’s resurrection at Easter, allows for intentional focus on repentance and the redemption from sin that is available to us through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross.

Relatedly, there are other aspects of life that call for a focused period of preparation, prayer, and sacrifice in advance of redemption.

Just ask Michael Haynes, Sr.

Blessings and lessons

In 2008, Haynes felt dissatisfied. He wanted his shot at the American dream, but he always felt that it seemed just out of reach.

“I am originally from California,” he said. “The cost of living is so much higher on the West Coast, so my girlfriend and I decided to relocate to the Midwest. We needed a fresh start and decided to come to Kansas City.”

New life emerged from that decision, both figuratively and literally. Not long after arriving, the couple discovered they would soon be parents. The birth of their son Michael Haynes, Jr. in 2009 changed everything.

“I became a first-time dad at age 40,” said Haynes, smiling. “Children come with blessings and lessons.”

They also come with significant expenses. Though the couple found work after settling in the area, they still struggled to make ends meet, and getting ahead was even more difficult with a baby in tow. The day-to-day stress created more tension than their relationship could withstand, so the couple eventually split up. When his former girlfriend and infant son returned to California, Haynes remained in Kansas City.

Saddened and alone, Haynes gradually lost his belongings, his residence and his confidence.

Since then, he’s been on a persistent journey to gain it all back.

God always provides

In 2010, Haynes began visiting Morning Glory Ministries, a community-serving ministry led by the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception that provides food and emergency assistance to those experiencing homelessness in Kansas City.

In addition to 150 meals served each day, up to 30 individuals arrive in need of emergency assistance. In response, staff, volunteers and donors provide clothing (for everyday life, as well as for work), shoes, hygiene and pantry items, blankets, backpacks and more. The organization also helps guests secure birth certificates and state of Missouri identification, as requested, so they can apply for housing and jobs.

Haynes speaks highly of every person he has encountered through Morning Glory Ministries (“We’ve become family and we worry if we don’t see someone for a while,” Haynes said), but feels particularly fond of John Kraus, Morning Glory Ministries’ director.

Kraus’ positive, hands-on demeanor is welcoming and infectious. On a cold, dreary morning in December 2022, just before opening the breakfast line to a full house, Kraus moved through the crowd to greet the guests and volunteers. They all connected with him eagerly.

“When I looked at the list of volunteers for today and noticed that only three people were on the list, I was concerned,” Kraus shared into the microphone before praying. “But I arrived this morning and saw all of these people here to help,” he said, pointing to the fully-staffed group of volunteers. “God always provides.”

Kraus’ upbeat approach, as well as his resourcefulness, has greatly influenced Haynes’ growing sense of hope for better days to come. In addition to the positive affirmations that Kraus shares with the guests, the tangible resources that Morning Glory Ministries helps its clients to procure can make a world of difference. For example, having official identification is something that many may take for granted, but is often a game changer in gaining access to support services, stable work and housing.

With Morning Glory Ministries’ help, Haynes received a replacement Social Security card and felt a swing in momentum. Possessing an official piece of identification became a powerful step forward.

“I’m getting back to where I was,” Haynes said. “I have a post office box now and look forward to getting a car and a job. I’m getting my confidence back.”

The road ahead

Today, Haynes has been reunited with his son, who returned to Kansas City with his mom a few years ago. Despite the turbulent times that his parents faced, Michael Jr. is thriving.

“He’s a straight-A honor student,” Haynes said proudly of his teenage son. “I told him I’d give him $10 for every A he earned. Of course, he earned seven,” he laughed.

Haynes has his eyes fixed on a successful future ahead.

“I look forward to driving to my job in my own car, working 40 hours a week at a place I love and having a home of my own, where my son can stay over. It doesn’t have to be a mansion — just mine.”

And, while he’s walking the road to redemption, Haynes remains grateful for the staff members and volunteers at Morning Glory Ministries who have helped him and so many others. Haynes feels that the needs of those experiencing homelessness are often misunderstood.

“People sometimes think that individuals choose to be in that situation. That’s rarely the case. Some just get into bad circumstances, or could be dealing with struggles with their mental health. The bottom line is, don’t assume you know someone’s story. More people should take the time and care and ask people about their journey. As for me, I’m just trying to be better than I was before, one step at a time.”