The wonder of winged creatures and the profit of staying

Read simply, the words of Scripture are only small syllables: “Let the waters bring forth winged creatures flying upon the earth along the firmament of heaven” (Genesis 1:20). But when the meaning within the words is searched out, then the great wonder of the Creator’s wisdom is revealed. How many varieties of birds did he foresee? How did he separate them from one another according to kind? How did he mark each one with distinct characteristics? The day fails me as I describe to you the wonders of the air. The dry land calls us to the display of wild beasts, reptiles, and cattle, ready to show in return creatures equal in honor to the plants, the swimming kind, and all the birds. “Let the earth bring forth the living creature of cattle and wild beasts and reptiles according to kind” (Genesis 1:24). What do you say, you who disbelieve Paul about the change at the resurrection, when you see many of the creatures of the air changing their forms? Such is the story told about the horned Indian worm: it first changes into a caterpillar, then as it advances becomes a chrysalis, and it does not stop at this form, but is furnished with wings of loose and broad leaf-like scales. So when you women sit unwinding the work of these creatures—I mean the threads the Chinese send you for the making of soft garments—remember the change of this animal, and receive a vivid conception of the resurrection, and do not disbelieve the change that Paul proclaims to all. But I sense that my discourse is going beyond its proper measure. When I look at the abundance of what has been said, I see myself carried beyond the limit; but when I look again at the variety of wisdom in the created works, I think I have not even begun the account. And at the same time, keeping you here longer is not without benefit. For what would one do with the time until evening? No hosts are pressing you; no banquets await you. Therefore, if it seems good, let us use the bodily fast for the gladness of our souls. You have often served the flesh for enjoyment; today remain in the service of the soul. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the requests of your heart (Psalm 36:4 LXX). If you love wealth, you have spiritual wealth: the judgments of the Lord, the true ones, justified altogether, desirable beyond gold and much precious stone (Psalm 18:10-11 LXX [Hebrew 19:9-10]). If you love enjoyment and pleasure, you have the words of God, which to the one strong in spiritual perception are sweeter than honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 18:11 LXX [Hebrew 19:10]). If I dismiss you and dissolve the assembly, some will run to the dice. There are oaths, harsh quarrels, and the pangs of greed. A demon stands by, kindling madness through the marked bones, shifting the same money to one side or the other—now lifting this one up with victory and filling that one with gloom, then showing that one exulting and this one put to shame. What profit is there in fasting in the body while the soul is filled with countless evils? The one who does not gamble but passes his leisure otherwise—what vain things does he not utter? What absurd things does he not hear? For leisure without the fear of God is a teacher of wickedness to those who use their time badly. Perhaps, then, some benefit will be found in what has been said; but if not, at least the avoidance of sin comes to you from your occupation here.