[D]iscipleship, or let us just call it by its proper name of priesthood, is not something one can pick out for oneself. It is not something one can devise as a way of being able to attain security, earn one's bread, reach a social position. One cannot simply choose it as a means whereby one finds certainty, friendship, security; how one might construct one's life for oneself. It can never simply be one's own provision, one's own choice. Priesthood, if it is right, is not something one can give oneself nor seek oneself. It can only be a response to His will and to His summons.
What is always needed is that we should come out of what is simply our own will, simply the idea of being able to bring ourselves to realisation and of what we could make of ourselves and wanted to have, in order to let ourselves be led by him, indeed let ourselves be led where we do not want to go. If this basic will is not present to enter into another will and become one with this, to let oneself be led where we had not reckoned on going, then the priestly way is not being trod and could only become a disaster. Priesthood rests on having this courage to say 'Yes' to another will, to respond to the summons of the other....
--Card Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI), Homily, 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time, 1986, Ministers of Your Joy, pp 31-32
