Did you know that we are celebrating a special Year for Consecrated Life? To celebrate, Xt3 will be featuring a reflection recorded by someone with a different Consecrated vocation every Sunday during Lent. To kick of the First Sunday of Lent, Brother John Nguyen OFM Cap, a Capuchin Franciscan Friar, shares his thoughts on today's Gospel, reflecting on the impact that sin has on our souls. Jesus is calling each one of us to repent this Lent, and to open our hearts and allow Him to tend to our souls.

O God, throughout the ages you have called women and men to pursue lives of perfect charity through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

During this Year of Consecrated Life, we give you thanks for these courageous witnesses of Faith and models of inspiration.

Their pursuit of holy lives teaches us to make a more perfect offering of ourselves to you.

Continue to enrich your Church by calling forth sons and daughters who, having found the pearl of great price, treasure the Kingdom of Heaven above all things.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.