For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Mt. 20, 16)
The calling of all mankind, the vocation of all, is to holiness.
God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.(CCC 1)
But few are chosen. The “chosen” ones are those who respond to God’s call perfectly spoken forth in Christ the eternal Word. These few persevere in “doing the will of their heavenly Father”, professing the orthodox Catholic faith, living the faith in “fraternal sharing” and celebrating the faithin liturgy and prayer.
Those who with God’s help have welcomed Christ’s call and freely responded to it are urged on by love of Christ to proclaim the Good News everywhere in the world. This treasure, received from the apostles, has been faithfully guarded by their successors. All Christ’s faithful are called to hand it on from generation to generation, by professing the faith, by living it in fraternal sharing, and by celebrating it in liturgy and prayer. (Cf. Acts 2:42) (CCC 3)
Thus, the parable of the vineyard is the Lord’s call to all those who have received Him in word and sacrament to share generously with all men what they themselves have received. All share equally in the task, whether called early or late in the day, to build up the kingdom of God in this world.