Pope urges prayers for vocations free of vanity, power, money

March 03, 2014 - Pope Francis on Monday urged for prayers that vocations to the priesthood and religious life be able to free their hearts of the idolatry of power and money. “We must pray that these young people be able to empty their hearts of other interests and affections in order to be free,” the Pope stressed in his homily at the morning Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. Commenting on the Gospel episode of the rich young man desiring to follow Jesus, the Pope said the good man, who observed all the commandments, was possessed by money and riches, which make him sad. The Holy Father thought of many enthusiastic young people who feel the call of Jesus and profess their allegiance to Him publicly, but when the heart is full of other things, they lack the courage of emptying themselves and turn sad. The Holy Father thus prayed for vocations: “Lord, send us sisters and priests, defend them from the idolatry of vanity, of pride, of power, of money. Lord, help these youth that they be free and not be slaves and have the a heart only for You so that the Lord’s call can come and bear fruit.” The Pope noted that there are vocations, and urged for prayers so that the Lord be able to enter these hearts and give them the indescribable and glorious joy of following Jesus closely.