Are priests called by God?

[SaintJVMan]

I have a protestant friend that I’ve been in dialogue with and we started discussing the priesthood, he said that:

“NO-ONE is “called of God” to ANY role in our day, the concept of “divine ordination” and “calling”, on an individual basis, is bogus. It’s simply not a reality in these days.”

I tried to use some quotes from the Church Fathers but he refused to accept them, asking for scripture only.

How would you respond to this?

 

[Jim_Blackburn]

In discussing the priesthood, the author of The Letter to the Hebrews taught, “one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was” (Heb 5:4).

The Catholic Church teaches, “Indeed no one claims this office for himself; he is called to it by God… Like every grace [ordination] can be received only as an unmerited gift” (Catechism 1578).