SAINT BASIL: EXEGETICAL HOMILIES: - I. Hexaemeron (extracts)Homily 1: In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth6. The world was not conceived by chance and without reason, but for an useful end and for the greatadvantage of all beings, since it is really the school where reasonable souls exercise themselves, the trainingground where they learn to know God; since by the sight of visible and sensible things the mind is led, as bya hand, to the contemplation of invisible things. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of theworld are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made." Rm 1:20Homily 2: The earth was invisible and unfinished.1. If such is the forecourt of the sanctuary, if the portico of the temple is so grand and magnificent, if thesplendor of its beauty thus dazzles the eyes of the soul, what will be the holy of holies? Who will dare to tryto gain access to the innermost shrine? Who will look into its secrets? To gaze into it is forbidden us andlanguage is powerless to express what the mind conceives. However, since there are rewards, and mostdesirable ones, reserved by the just Judge for the intention alone of doing good, let us not hesitate to continueour research.6. How did the Spirit of God move upon the waters? The explanation that I give you is that of a Syrian, whowas as ignorant in the wisdom of this world as he was versed in the knowledge of the truth: The Syriac wordis more expressive. Being more analogous to the Hebrew term it was a nearer approach to the scripturalsense. By 'was borne' the Syrians understand: it cherished the nature of the waters as one sees a bird coverthe eggs with her body and impart to them vital force from her own warmth... it prepared the nature of waterto produce living beings: a sufficient proof for those who ask if the H. Spirit took an active part in thecreation of the world.Homily 5: The germination of the earth7. The industry of agriculturists remedies the natural defects of certain ...