From COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW
by Bishop Hilary of Poitiers, Gaul
FC vol. 125: translation/edited by
Prof. D.H. Williams, Baylor Univ.
Chapter 33, sections 4-5
The location of the cross
is such that, placed in the
center of the earth [Latin
positus in media terrae],
it stands, as it were, above
this world, offering equally
to all pagan peoples the means
of embracing the knowledge
of God (Cyprian, Test. II:18)
Jesus refused to drink a
mixture of wine and gall which
was offered to him, because
the bitterness of sin is not
mixed with the incorruption
of eternal glory (Romans 3:14
and Eph. 4:31). And his
garments, which, rather than
being torn, were divided up
by casting lots (Matt. 27:34),
signified that his body
remained incorruptible. And
so it was that the salvation and
life of all was hung on the tree
of life. To his left and right,
two thieves were crucified
(Latin adfiguntur) showing
that the whole human race
everywhere is called to the
sacrament of the Lord's Passion.
But because there is a difference
between believers and unbelievers
there is an overall division between
those on the right and those on
the left (third parable Matt.25).
The thief placed to the right
was saved by the justification
of faith. . .As there is a dividing
between the hours of night and
day, so too the number of three
days and nights is fulfilled (as
in Book of Jonah) while the
veiled mystery of divine action
is realized in the confusion of
all creation (darkness Matt.27:45).
Then there is the cry unto God
which is the voice of the Lord's
body (Latin corporis vox est )
attesting to the separation of
the Word of God as it withdrew
from him. Why did he cry out
about being abandoned, My God,
my God, why have you forsaken
me? He is abandoned because it
was necessary for him to be subject
to his humanity until the finality
of death. Moreover, we must
consider carefully why he drank
sour wine given to him from a
sponge on a stick and then
rendered up his spirit with a cry.
The wine is the honor and power
of immortality, which turned sour
on account of our sin and
negligence. Although the wine
had soured in Adam (I Cor. 15:22),
Christ accepted it from pagan
hands and drank it.
