In today's first reading from Ecclesiastes 1, the sacred author says, "Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!" He goes on to say, "What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun."
Actually, there are plenty of new things under the sun. Look at all the advances in technology. So what could the author mean? Perhaps he's talking about the human condition. People are still people; always have been, always will be. We're still prone to the same stuff (sins) as our ancestors. And yet we're still around.
I must say that this thought gives me courage in the current scandals of the Church. By that I mean that there has been scandal before, and there will be scandal in the future. This is all nothing new. We'll get through this - and all the other things sure to come.
Father, help us to always remember that the current crisis in the Church is really nothing new. May we trust in your providence to see us through it. Amen.
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Amen Gus!! The more I study the Old Testament, the more I recognize how much things have not changed.
Two thoughts: a wise priest said the reason sins have a name is that they have been committed before; the saintly monk Peter Damian wrote “The Book of Gomorrah” way back in 1049 about the sex scandals in our Church (which is why I cringe when I hear folks talk about it all started in the 60’s!).
Besides, He promised that His Church will prevail.
God bless.