Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/560

 possessions of  the  bridegroom,  to  which  humanity longed to  be  made  heir. There was  need  of  a  remedy for  sin,  and  "  it  is,"  says  St.  Paul,  "  a  true  saying and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  came  to save  sinners." There were  vacant  thrones  in  heaven, and no  heirs  apparent,  but  when  the  Word  became flesh, God  gave  as  many  as  received  Him  the  power to be  made  the  sons  of  God  because  "born  not  of blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the  will  of man,  but  of  God." Rightly, therefore,  is  the  hypostatic union  called  a  marriage  which  the  King  of kings  made  for  His  divine  Son.

And He  sent  His  servants  to  call  them  that  were invited to  the  marriage,  and  they  would  not  come. Notice they  had  been  already  invited  and  are  now simply reminded  that  the  happy  day  has  come. For ages the  patriarchs  and  prophets  had  foretold  to  the Jews the  future  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  and bade them  prepare,  besides  the  robe  of  faith,  the nuptial garment  of  charity;  but  now,  when  John  the Baptist, the  Apostles  and  disciples,  bid  them  to  the long-looked-for feast,  they  refuse  to  come. But God, rich  in  mercy  and  patience,  sent  other  servants, saying: "  Behold  I  have  prepared  My  dinner;  all things  are  ready;  come  ye  to  the  wedding." This second band  of  messengers  are  the  selfsame  Apostles and disciples,  but  they  are  called  "  other  servants because  upon  them,  in  the  meantime,  the  Holy Ghost  had  descended.  Thus  (I.  King  x.)  Samuel says  to  Saul:  "The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  come upon thee  and  thou  shalt  be  changed  into  another