If he offers nourishment to the birds, will he not offer to humankind food to nourish them? If those who do not labor find food, will not people find food, to whom God has given both the wisdom to work and the hope to enjoy it? God made all animals for humankind’s sake, but he made humankind for his own sake. Therefore, if he serves animals for humankind’s sake, will he not serve humankind for his own sake? God made all things in wisdom, but he made humankind not only in wisdom but also according to his own wisdom. Therefore, to the degree that the creation of humankind is more precious than that of animals, to the same degree God’s solicitude over humankind is greater than that over animals. God made all animals so that they would exist as long as they do, but when they die, they would become as if they had never been, but he made humankind so that he would live not only before death but even after death. Indeed, he would live more after death than before death because he lives before death in temptation but after death in glory. Therefore, if he helps those whom he has created so as to live for only a little while, will he not help humankind whom he has made so that they may live forever?
Opus imperfectum on Matthew, Homily 16
Locus Communis 