You heathen may have missed it but today's the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. That in mind, think on Our Lord's parable of the laborers and "the last will be first, and the first last." Who are the first? In this instance, surely, the Scribes and Pharisees who "murmur" against Christ. And the last? Tax collectors, harlots and, curiously, higher ranking Roman NCOs. We'd call 'em Warrants, I think.
These, the latter, come in first in the kingdom because they're repentant sinners as opposed to hypocritical, whitewashed sepulchers. Christ loves them and they turn to him, they repent, whereas the self-righteous, hateful fools do not.
Woe to them. Such is the unfathomable mercy of God and the implacable judgement of the unjust. Terrifying, when you think on it, yet shot through with hope. St. Matthew, on reflection, lived the parable first hand, in real life, he was a wicked tax collector, some things do not change, who was invited to see the Light and did.
Oremus:
Grant us, O Lord, not to mind earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to cleave to those that shall abide; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Point of the homily? There's hope for us all. Do not lose sight of that, ever.
Your Old Buddy,
LSP
