LIVE IT TODAY: Monday, March 30, 2026
Offer Me your love without counting the cost, for I receive it and make it eternal.
LIVE IT TODAY: Monday, March 30, 2026
A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
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As we enter Holy Week, we consider a big question: “Are we followers, or just fans?” We feature Barna’s “10 Stops of the Christian Life,” 15 defining moments from the Gospel, the radical conversion of St. Mary of Egypt, and a powerful testimony from Rich Cronin. New Easter episode drops Saturday, April 4!
GOD’S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
Offer Me your love without counting the cost, for I receive it and make it eternal.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | John 12:1–11
Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany,
where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
They gave a dinner for him there, and Martha served,
while Lazarus was one of those reclining at table with him.
Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil
made from genuine aromatic nard
and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair;
the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples,
and the one who would betray him, said,
“Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages
and given to the poor?”
He said this not because he cared about the poor
but because he was a thief and held the money bag
and used to steal the contributions.
So Jesus said, “Leave her alone.
Let her keep this for the day of my burial.
You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
The large crowd of the Jews found out that he was there and came,
not only because of him, but also to see Lazarus,
whom he had raised from the dead.
And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,
because many of the Jews were turning away
and believing in Jesus because of him.
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Love for Jesus is meant to be extravagant, personal, and unashamed.
What would it look like for me to love Jesus without calculating the cost?
This Gospel presents a striking contrast between two hearts. Mary pours out a costly perfume—worth nearly a year’s wages—at the feet of Jesus. Judas calculates its value and questions the waste. One sees a person worthy of everything. The other sees a resource to be managed.
The Greek word used for the perfume, nardos pistikē, suggests something pure and authentic. This is not a casual offering. It is total, intentional, and deeply personal. Mary does not hold anything back. She gives her best, knowing Jesus is worthy of it.
Then comes a powerful detail: “the house was filled with the fragrance.” In Scripture, fragrance often symbolizes the presence of a pleasing offering to God. Mary’s act does not remain private. It permeates the entire space. True love for Christ always has a ripple effect.
Judas’ objection appears reasonable on the surface. “Why not give to the poor?” But the Gospel reveals his deeper motive—self-interest. This is a sobering reminder that even good-sounding arguments can mask disordered hearts.
Jesus defends Mary. He recognizes that her act is not wasteful—it is prophetic. She is preparing Him for burial. Without fully understanding, she participates in the mystery of His coming sacrifice.
In our own lives, we are often tempted to measure our devotion. How much time is too much? How much sacrifice is reasonable? But love does not operate on calculation. It responds to the worth of the one loved.
Family life is where this kind of love becomes visible. Do our children see a faith that is minimal and convenient—or one that is wholehearted and joyful? Do they see parents who prioritize God, who give time to prayer, who make sacrifices for love?
The domestic church becomes radiant when love for Jesus is lived openly. When prayer is not rushed. When Sunday Mass is central. When acts of service flow from devotion, not obligation.
Parents, this Gospel calls you to lead with extravagant love. Do not be afraid to give your best to God. Let your children see it. Let your home be filled with the “fragrance” of faith—prayer, sacrifice, generosity, and joy. Pray over your children by name, asking the Holy Spirit to form in them hearts that love Jesus above all else.
“Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake.” (CCC 1822)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
In My Heart: Do I love Jesus with generosity, or do I tend to measure and limit my devotion?
In My Home: What practices can help our family express love for God more fully?
In My World: How can my love for Christ become a witness that impacts others?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around, share one way each person can show love for Jesus this week.
Then pray together as a family. Parents, place your hands gently on each person and pray over them by name. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill their hearts with deep love for Christ. Renounce any selfishness or resistance to giving fully. Pray for strength to choose generosity, courage to live boldly, and joy in loving God above all.
Daily Challenge: Offer one meaningful sacrifice today—time, comfort, or attention—as a gift of love to Jesus.
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
ENTER THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME: LifeTimeRide.com
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