HOPE40 - Day 35 - The Fragrance of Hope

Monday of Holy Week

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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. ~John 12:3

Mary’s act is extravagant. An entire liter of pure nard, worth a year’s wages, poured out at Jesus’ feet. No holding back. No measuring. No budgeting or calculating. She gives Him everything, in full view of everyone.

This moment stands in stark contrast to the betrayal quietly forming in Judas’ heart. While Mary pours herself out in love, Judas clings to selfishness, hiding it in false piety. Mary shows what anchored hope looks like: a heart that knows Who Jesus is and responds with everything.

Extravagance in the spiritual life is not about how much you have, but how freely you give. It is not wasteful to offer beauty, time, or your best efforts to the Lord. In fact, it’s exactly what Jesus Himself is about to do...pour out His life, extravagantly, for your salvation.

As you anchor yourself in hope this Holy Week, learn from Mary’s gesture. Break open the perfume of your heart - your gifts, your time, your talent, your table - and let your homes be filled with the fragrance of that offering.

How to Live an "Extravagant Monday"

Create your own Fragrant Offering: Set out flowers somewhere in your home where you will see them all day (or take some to work for all to see). Let their beauty remind you of Mary's costly perfume and Christ’s approaching sacrifice.

Anoint your home with Sacred Music: Play beautiful, sacred, or uplifting music throughout the day. Fill the house with melodies that lift your heart to the Lord, like the way the scent of the oil filled the home in Bethany.

Heather Khym's Lent Playlist on Spotify.

Floriani - Chants of Deliverance on Spotify

Make an "Extravagant" Dinner: Prepare a simple, intentional meal. Take time to cook something meaningful or celebratory. It might be a favorite recipe, a traditional Holy Week dish, or something you’ve never tried before. Let it be a symbol of love for your family, not stress. Today's roasted chicken recipe found below might be just what you are looking for.

Set the Table: Use your best dishes, light candles, fold napkins, play music. Bring dignity and delight to the table like it’s a sacred space, because it is.

Create a Sacred Space at Home: Carve out a little “Bethany corner” in your home, a quiet spot with a chair, candle, icon or cross, and Bible, to use all week for silent prayer. Make it beautiful, simple, and reverent.

Prepare a Hospitality Basket: Do you know someone who has had a difficult Lent? A new mom, neighbor, widow, family member? Put together a small hospitality basket with snacks, tea, prayer cards, or handwritten encouragement and drop it off.

Mary didn’t calculate the cost of her love. She acted because she knew Who Jesus was. Let this Monday be filled with hope that is secure in Christ, a hope that doesn’t hesitate to give extravagantly.

Reflection/Journal Prompts

What would an “extravagant” gesture of love for Jesus look like in your life right now?
How can you make your daily offerings more intentional and fragrant with love?

LET US PRAY

Lord Jesus, As we enter into this Holy Week, anchor us in Your presence. We come before You like Mary, longing to pour out our love in response to Yours. You held nothing back. You gave extravagantly. You offered Yourself completely, even unto death. Teach us to love like that. Let our hearts be broken open with generosity. Let our homes be filled with the fragrance of hope, the kind that clings to You when the world feels uncertain. Help us to not calculate, not withhold, not hesitate - but to trust You enough to give You everything.

Jesus, we love You. We adore You. We praise You. We walk with You to the Cross, anchored in the hope of the Resurrection. Amen

HOPE For Your Health - It's Worth It!

We are on the home stretch for this Lenten fasting journey. Stick to it...it's worth it!

This weeks fasting schedule:

MONDAY: 16:8

TUESDAY: 16:8

WEDNESDAY: 16:8

THURSDAY: 16:8

FRIDAY: Extended fast from Thursday after dinner until Friday at 3PM (if you are able).

SATURDAY: 16:8 or you may choose to not fast, but keep meals simple and light, preparing for the great feast of Easter.

Reminders: 16:8 means fasting for 16 hours (water, tea, broth, black coffee) and 8 hours for eating healthy and nourishing food. NO alcohol, sugar or white flour.

Encouragement for Today:

Fasting reminds us that we are called to pour ourselves out, like Mary did in freely giving something precious - not from a place of pressure, but from a place of love.

Skipping breakfast or delaying a meal may seem small, but when offered to the Lord, even these sacrifices become meaningful. They anchor you in hope and sharpen your awareness of what truly satisfies.

This fast is not about restriction, but intention. Empty yourself to make room for something more - more clarity, more gratitude, more love for Christ.

The sacrifice is worth it.

HOPE For Your Marriage: Love That Pours Itself Out

As we begin Holy Week, reflect on how you can imitate Mary’s love by pouring yourself out for your spouse in small but meaningful ways. These acts of generosity become fragrant offerings that strengthen your bond and anchor your marriage in Christ, our true hope.

Reflection Question:

Where do you feel called to love you spouse more extravagantly - not in money or "things", but in time, attention, and presence?

Herb-Roasted Chicken with Root Vegetables & Lemon

It’s classic, cozy, and fills the house with comforting aromas...like Mary’s perfumed oil.

INGREDIENTS

1 3-4 pound whole chicken (can also use bone-in breasts, thighs and/or legs..just adjust the roasting time)
2 Tbsp melted butter
1 Tbsp sea salt
2 tsp black pepper
1 small lemon, quartered
4 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
2-3 carrots, peeled and chopped into large chunks
8 small golden potatoes, halved or quartered
1 yellow onion, quartered
(NOTE: adjust quantity of veggies based on the size of your roasting pan)
2 + Tbsp olive oil
additional sea salt and black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Set chicken on a large, clean plate. Melt butter and drizzle over the chicken and brush to distribute evenly.
Season the exterior and interior cavity of the chicken with salt and pepper.
Insert the lemon and fresh rosemary into the cavity.
(Optional)...Set the chicken in the fridge uncovered (this allows the chicken to dry out a bit, which helps it crisp more when roasting) for at least 8-10 hours and up to 24 hours.
When ready to roast the chicken, preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Use a large rimmed roasting pan or cast-iron skillet. Add veggies to the pan, drizzle with olive oil, season well with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
Arrange the veggies around the perimeter of the dish, then put the chicken (breast side up) in the center.
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (uncovered) or until the exterior is crispy and golden brown and the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 F.
Remove from oven and let chicken rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving.