ACC ~ Matthew 25 v1

DIVISION BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD

HILARY OF POITIERS: The whole story is about the great day of the Lord, when those things concealed from the human mind will be revealed through our understanding of divine judgment. Then the faith true to the Lord’s coming will win the just reward for unwavering hope. For in the five wise and five foolish virgins, [1] a complete separation between the faithful and unfaithful is established. Similarly, Moses had received the Ten Commandments written on two tablets. [2] For it was necessary that all these things be written on each. The double column represented, under a single testament, the division between the good and the bad, between the designation of right and left. ON MATTHEW 27.3. [3]

[1] Mt 25:2.

[2] Ex 32:15.

[3] SC 258:204.

TO MEET THE BRIDEGROOM

AUGUSTINE: Let us now, beloved, discuss the five wise and the five foolish virgins. They wished to go to meet the bridegroom. What is the meaning of “to go and meet the bridegroom”? To go with all the heart, to eagerly await his coming. SERMON 93.5. [1]

[1] PL 38:575; NPNF 1 6:402 (Sermon 43).

THE TEN MAIDENS

AUGUSTINE: So then let us understand, dearly beloved, that this parable relates to us all, that is, to the whole church together, not to the clergy only, of whom we spoke yesterday, nor to the laity only but generally to all. Why then are the virgins five and five? These five and five virgins are all Christian souls together. But that I may tell you what by the Lord’s inspiration I think, it is not souls of every sort but such souls as have the catholic faith and seem to have good works in the church of God. Yet even of them it is said, “Five are wise, and five are foolish.” SERMON 93.5. [1]

[1] PL 38:574; NPNF 1 6:401-2 (Sermon 43).