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
