Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/640

 Then Jesus  concluded  the  parable,  saying:  “So  shall  the  last  be first,  and  the  first,  last;  for  many  are  called ,  but  few  are  chosen.”

“So shall  the  last  be  first.” These  words  are  addressed  in  the  first place to  the  Jews,  who  ought  to  have  been  the  very  first  to  enter  into Christ’s new  kingdom,  because  the  promises  were  made  to  them,  and they (the  many)  were  all  called. In the  next  place  and  in  a wider sense they  are  addressed  to  all  men  and  have  a double  meaning, a) Many  of  those  who,  according  to  time,  are  the  first  to  be  called, will  be  the  last  to  receive  their  reward,  having  to  suffer  a long  time  in Purgatory  in  expiation  of  their  laxity  and  lukewarmness  on  earth; whereas  those  called  later  may,  on  account  of  their  zeal,  be  received sooner  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  b)  Many  who  on  earth  were esteemed by  others  to  be  first,  and  were  first  by  reason  of  their  position, will enjoy  the  lowest  degree  of  heavenly  happiness; whereas  many  who were despised  and  thought  very  little  of  on  earth  will  receive  in  heaven the highest  degree  of  reward.

In the  parable  the  master  of  the  house  is  God:  the  market-place is the  world:  the  vineyard  is  God’s  kingdom  on  earth,  the  Church:  the steward is  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  the  labourers  in  the  vineyard  are the faithful, who  are  called  by  God  to  believe  the  one  true  faith  and to live  in  accordance  with  it:  the  day  of  work  is  the  life-time  of  men on earth;  and  the  pence  signify  the  eternal  reward  of  the  Vision  of God  in  heaven. Almighty God  calls  us  at  different  times  to  work  in His  vineyard. Some He  calls  in  the  early  morning,  as  little  children; others, boys  and  girls,  He  calls  at  the  sixth  hour; others  He  calls  when they are  full-grown  men  and  women; and  many  He  calls  at  the  eleventh hour, quite  in  the  evening  of  life,  or  old  age. The paying  of  the  wages takes place  at  the  close  of  the  day,  at  the  end  of  our  lives,  when,  after death, those  whom  God  called  late  in  life  will  receive  an  everlasting reward as  well  as  those  called  earlier,  if  only  they,  like  the  labourers in the  vineyard,  obeyed  God’s  voice  when  He  did  call  them,  and worked with  perseverance,  living  according  to  their  faith,  even  unto the end  of  the  day.