Mexican cardinal says vocations needed to bring light into darkness

During Mass on Sunday for the World Day of Vocations, Cardinal Norberto Rivera of Mexico City said the Church is in need of new vocations to bring light to those who are in darkness.

“Jesus came to find the lost sheep, to heal the wounded sheep, to feed the hungry sheep and carry the weak ones on his shoulders,” the cardinal said, addressing seminarians and vocation directors of the Archdiocese of Mexico City. 

“He wants to reach those who are far from the gospel, he wants to be light for those are in darkness, and needs human mediators to be his face and to proclaim the Good News.”

Accepting a vocation to the priesthood means “to accept giving one’s life so that others might have life in abundance” and to not expect to be served but to serve. “True Christian leadership means serving others,” he added.

Cardinal Rivera exhorted the future priests and the faithful gathered to love Christ more through the Gospel, frequent prayer, confession, the Eucharist and solidarity with the poor and the abandoned.

“Christ was not content with giving nice speeches and or proclaiming beautiful teachings. He wants to offer liberation to those imprisoned by their sins or who suffer injustice abuse.” That is the most important mission of priests, he said.