MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT AND BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR AND SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 30TH 2026

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK | YEAR A

HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES | Bible Reading Plan for Holy Week https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/bible-reading-plan-for-holy-week/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | MARCH 30, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-march-30th/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT AND BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR AND SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | March 30, 2026 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-march-30-2026/

LENTEN CALENDAR AND REFLECTIONS: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/lenten-prayers-and-reflection-2026/

DAILY PRAYERS: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Angelus Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today is Monday of Holy Week, a day characterized by the fragrance of love and the quiet preparation for the Sacrifice to come. In the Gospel, we travel to Bethany, where Mary pours out her most costly nard upon the feet of Jesus, anointing Him for His burial. It is a moment of total, uncalculated devotion that stands in stark contrast to the betrayal brewing in the heart of Judas. We are joined today by Saint John Climacus, the Abbot who mapped the Ladder to Paradise through humility; Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, the nurse who became a martyr rather than remove the Cross from her hospital; and Saint Fergus, the bishop who carried the light of Christ to the rugged coastlands of Scotland. As the “bruised reed” of our own humanity meets the smoldering wick of our faith, let us ask the Lord to grasp us by the hand. May we, like Mary, offer our very best to the King who comes to open the eyes of the blind and set the prisoners free. Amen. 🙏🏽

LENTEN REFLECTION

DAY 35: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/day-35-lenten-prayers-and-reflections-2026/

Day Thirty-Five: Extravagant Love
(Monday of Holy Week)

Scripture Passage:
“Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus.” (John 12:3)

We have traded our fear of spiritual death for the certainty of Grace.
We have allowed Christ to “gather us into one” as His children.
We have laid down our expectations at the gates of Jerusalem.

Today, our Lenten journey deepens into a call for radical, “extravagant love”.

Meditative Reflection

On this Holy Monday, we see a beautiful example of what a transformed heart actually looks like in action. Mary of Bethany doesn’t give Jesus a calculated gift; she gives Him everything. She breaks open a jar of perfume worth a year’s wages and pours it out. To the world (and to Judas), this was a “waste.” But to Jesus, it was the perfect response to His love. Our journey has led us to this moment of decision. After thirty-five days of refining our hearts, are we still calculating our devotion? Do we give God just enough time to feel good, or are we willing to be “extravagant” with our lives? Mary didn’t wait for a “convenient” time to honor Jesus, she recognized that He was heading toward His sacrifice, and she wanted to give Him her best while she could. True transformation means moving past the minimum requirements of faith. It means being willing to be seen as wasteful or foolish by the world because of how much we love God. As we move through this Great Week, let us ask for the grace to be like Mary, to break open the jars of our hearts and pour out our best for the One who is about to give everything for us.

Reflection Questions

Where am I still being “calculating” or stingy with my time and love for God?
Am I afraid of being judged by others for being “too religious” or too devoted?
What is the “precious jar” in my life that I am being invited to break open for Christ today?

Lenten Question

Q: Why is the fragrance of the oil mentioned so specifically in the Gospel?
A: Scripture says “the house was filled with the fragrance.” This reminds us that when we live with radical love and a transformed heart, our lives become a “spiritual fragrance” that blesses everyone around us, not just ourselves.

Lenten Action

Perform one act of extravagant kindness today, something that goes beyond what is fair or expected. Do it quietly, as an anointing for Christ in the person you are helping.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You have given me everything. Help me to move past a calculated faith and into a love that is extravagant and bold. Like Mary, I want to offer You the very best of my heart, my time, and my talents. May the fragrance of my devotion fill my home and my workplace today as I follow You toward the Cross. Amen. 🙏🏽

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Holy Week of Lent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Monday of Holy Week | March 30, 2026
Reading I: Isaiah 42:1–7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 13–14
Gospel: John 12:1–11

Gospel Reading ~ John 12:1–11

“Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil… and anointed the feet of Jesus.”

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.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In the Gospel, we encounter an scene of extravagant devotion. Mary of Bethany breaks a jar of genuine nard, worth a year’s wages to anoint the feet of Jesus. This is not a calculated gift; it is the “fragrance of the soul” poured out in total love. While Judas calculates the cost and disguises his greed as concern for the poor, Mary recognizes the unique, fleeting moment she has with her Lord. Jesus defends her, linking this beautiful gesture to His upcoming burial. This passage challenges us: in our relationship with Christ, are we “calculators” like Judas, or are we “extravagant lovers” like Mary? Do we offer Him our best, or only what we think we can afford?

The presence of Lazarus at the table is a living sign of Jesus’ power over death, yet even this miracle provokes a dark response. The chief priests plot to kill Lazarus too, proving that those who reject the Light will go to any lengths to extinguish the evidence of God’s glory. This reminds us that as we walk through Holy Week, the “darkness” of the world often reacts most violently when the “fragrance” of God’s work is most evident.

In the First Reading, we hear the first of the “Servant Songs” from Isaiah. We see the blueprint of Jesus’ mission: He is the chosen one upon whom the Spirit rests. Unlike earthly kings, He does not shout in the streets. He is so gentle that He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick. This is the quiet, steady justice of God. He comes to open the eyes of the blind and bring prisoners out of the dungeon of sin. As we watch Jesus handle the betrayal of Judas and the plot against His life with such calm dignity, we see Isaiah’s prophecy coming to life.

The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 27) provides the spiritual armor for this week. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?” It is the cry of a heart that remains “stouthearted” even when an army encamps against it. It echoes the resolve of Jesus as He prepares for the Cross. The Psalmist reminds us to Wait for the LORD with courage. Holy Week is a time of waiting, waiting through the betrayal, waiting at the foot of the Cross, and waiting at the tomb.

As we progress through this sacred week, we are invited to fill our houses with the fragrance of prayer and sacrifice. We must decide if we will stand with the plotted-against Lazarus and the devoted Mary, or if we will let the “whisperings” of fear and greed pull us away. Reflect today: Is there a bruised reed in your own life that needs the Lord’s gentle touch? Are you willing to pour out your “costly oil”, your time, your heart, your comfort, to anoint the Lord as He walks toward His Passion?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, You are the light of our salvation and our life’s refuge. Grant us the grace to love You with the same extravagance shown by Mary of Bethany. Help us to be “smoldering wicks” that You fan into a flame of faith, and “bruised reeds” that find strength in Your justice. As the darkness of the Passion draws near, keep our hearts stouthearted and our eyes fixed on the beauty of Your sacrifice. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | MARCH 30TH:

Link to Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections| March 30th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta, and Saint Fergus | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-march-30th/

SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT: Saint John (d. 649) is the “Abbot of the Ladder” who spent forty years in the silence of Mount Sinai before being chosen to lead his brethren. His masterpiece, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, serves as a spiritual map, describing thirty degrees of virtue that lead the soul to perfection. Just as Mary of Bethany anointed the Lord’s feet, Saint John taught that “God rests within gentle hearts.” He renounced worldly goods and practiced a silence so profound that it rooted out all self-complacency. He reminds us that even “bruised reeds” can climb to the heights of Paradise if they walk the path of humility and obedience.

PRAYER: Lord, amid the things of this world, let us be wholeheartedly committed to heavenly things. Through the intercession of Saint John Climacus, help us to climb the ladder of virtue with a “stouthearted” spirit, that we may move from the darkness of our sins into the light of Your eternal presence. Amen. 🙏🏽

BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR: Blessed Maria (1894–1943) was a Franciscan Sister and surgical nurse who proved that the “altar in our hearts” cannot be destroyed by any regime. When the Nazis ordered the removal of crucifixes from her hospital, she refused to back down, setting her “face like flint” against a culture of death. Betrayed and condemned for “aiding the enemy,” she spent her final days in prison caring for her fellow captives. By choosing the Cross over her own life, she showed us that we “do not always have” the opportunity to witness, and thus we must give everything to Christ while we can.

PRAYER: Almighty God, You gave Blessed Maria Restituta the courage to die for Christ rather than renounce her faith. Through her prayers, grant us the strength to “open the eyes of the blind” to the truth of the Gospel and to remain faithful when our own world demands that we remove the Cross from our lives. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP: Saint Fergus (d. 730) was a “missionary to the coastlands” who brought the light of the Gospel to the Picts of Scotland. After being trained in Ireland, he traveled extensively, establishing churches and “opening the eyes” of those who lived in pagan darkness. He was a bishop who “brought forth justice” through his teaching and his presence at the Council of Rome. His life demonstrates that the Lord “grasps us by the hand” to lead us into new territories for the sake of the Kingdom.

PRAYER: God, Light and Shepherd of souls, You sent Saint Fergus to evangelize the people of Scotland and build Your sanctuary among them. Through his intercession, help us to be “lights for the nations” in our own communities, spreading the fragrance of Your Word to all who are “weary” and seeking Your truth. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta, and Saint Fergus — pray for us. 🙏🏽

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR SPIRITUAL ASCENT, COURAGE UNDER OPPRESSION, AND GENEROUS DEVOTION

As we walk through this Holy Week, let us ask the Lord to make our hearts like “genuine aromatic nard” fragrant with love and sacrifice. Lord, we pray for those seeking to grow in holiness and the religious who guide them; through the intercession of Saint John Climacus (Patron of those struggling with spiritual apathy or “the Ladder” of virtue), may they climb the degrees of prayer with humility and find rest in Your gentle heart. We lift up all medical professionals and those facing persecution for standing by the Truth; through the prayers of Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka (Patron of nurses and those resisting injustice), grant them a spirit that does not fear and the courage to keep the Cross at the center of their work. We pray for missionaries and those bringing the Gospel to distant coastlands, through the example of Saint Fergus (Patron of Wick and Glammis, and missionary to Scotland), may they find “refuge” in You and see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. May we all be stouthearted as we wait for Your victory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/a-prayer-for-peace/

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH: For disarmament and peace. Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH: MONTH OF SAINT JOSEPH: The Church dedicates the month of March to Saint Joseph, the humble and faithful guardian of the Redeemer. Though he spoke no recorded words in Scripture, his life preached obedience, courage, responsibility, and silent strength. “His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father: protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade.” Saint Joseph was entrusted with the greatest treasure Heaven could give Jesus and Mary and he fulfilled that mission with quiet fidelity. He protected the Holy Family in danger, labored diligently to provide for them, and trusted God even when he did not fully understand the divine plan. In this month, we are invited to imitate his virtues: deep trust in God, purity of heart, faithful service, and steadfast responsibility in our own vocations. Like Saint Joseph, may we learn to act with courage, listen in silence, and obey God promptly. May this Month of Saint Joseph strengthen fathers, guide families, protect workers, and inspire all of us to live hidden yet holy lives before God.

Saint Joseph, pray for us. 🙏🏽

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=2

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD
We pray for the repose of the gentle souls of our loved ones and souls of all the faithful departed. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽

Thanking God for His love and the gift of this day, we offer Him a prayer of gratitude and entrust the days ahead to His loving providence. We pray for God’s grace and mercy as we continue our spiritual journey. May this Lenten journey help us to seek You in the secret places of our hearts. May the peace, hope, and steady guidance that flow from walking daily with Christ shape our steps, inform our decisions, and strengthen our resolve to live each day in love and holiness. As we journey onward into this new month, may God bless our families and loved ones, and may His light continue to shine brightly in every home. Let us draw closer to God and be renewed through prayer, fasting, penance, and generosity to the poor. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times. Wishing us all a reflective, spiritually enriching, most blessed, and grace-filled Lenten Season. Amen 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta, and Saint Fergus ~ Pray for us 🙏🏾

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings,and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/