A friend asked a question on the topic of  the elect sometime ago.  I am sure
we all have heard many an answers on this overtime. When looking at the Gospel
for yesterday's mass, the reading reflected almost the understanding I had on this
topic.  I had to make a note it and responded back to her with my personal observation.

Matthew 22:1-14 (New American Bible) - The Parable of the Wedding Feast
   Jesus again in reply spoke to them in parables, saying,
   "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who have a wedding feast for his son.
   He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guest to the feast, but they refused to come.
   A second time he sent other servants, saying, "Tell those invited: Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
         my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."
   Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his fam, another to his business.
   The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.
   The kind was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed the murderers, and burned their city.
   Then he said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.
   Go out, therefore into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.'
    The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike,
         and the hall was filled with guests.
   But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.
   He said to him, 'My friend, how is is that you came in here without a wedding garment?'
         But he was reduced to silence.
   Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feed, and cast him into the darkness outside,
          where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'
    Many are invited, but few are chosen."

my personal reflection on this Th 22 Aug 2002 reading
The "elect" are chosen/dictated by their actions, including their willing to answer His call,
as well as, showing up with the proper respect (faith).   The "elect" are not chosen so much
as they are already known by Him.  He knows who will act accordingly to our call to follow Him.
Thus, each person is judged by his love for the Lords & deeds acted upon that faith, including following the
two most basic principles.   Loving our Father with a full heart.   And loving thy neighbor as
thyself in words, deeds, example, and full heart!

Matthew 22:36-40 (New American Bible)
    "Teacher, which commandment in the law is greatest?"
    He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your hear, with all soul, and with all your mind.
    This is the greatest and the first commandment.
    The second is list it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
    The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."