Morbus Sabbaticus
‘Morbus Sabbaticus’, better known as Sunday sickness is a disease peculiar to some church members. The symptoms vary but these are generally observed:
1. It never lasts more than 24 hours.
2. It never interferes with the appetite.
3. It never affects the eyes. The Sunday newspapers can be read with no pain. Television seems to help the eyes.
4. No physician is ever called.
5. After a few “attacks”, at weekly intervals, it may become chronic….even terminal.
No symptoms are usually felt on Saturday. The patient sleeps and wakes up feeling well. He eats a hearty Sunday breakfast, then the attack comes from out of nowhere and lasts until church services are over. The patient feels better later on during the day and eats a solid dinner. After dinner he takes a nap, then watches some sport on TV. He may take a walk before supper, and stop and chat with neighbors. If there are church services scheduled for Sunday evening, he will have another short attack. Invariably, he wakes up Monday morning rushes off to work feeling refreshed. The symptoms may not recur until the following Sunday, unless another service is scheduled at the church during the week.
Unless one is genuinely ill, infirm, or has to do necessary work, why would a Christian want to be in the habit of missing Church? Certainly, we didn’t learn this from Jesus. Luke 4:16 “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath…”
Irregularity in any area of life causes problems. How would you like it if…
Your watch ticked one time and missed the next?
Your heart beat one time and missed the next?
Your child missed every other day at school?
The engine of your car only started every other time?
It is noted in the scriptures about the early Church,
Acts 2:42 “…and they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Hebrews 10:25 “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
A newspaper editor once invited his readers to send in their response to the statement, “Why I don’t go to Church.” After receiving a number of replies he decided to show the weakness of their excuses by inserting the word ‘movies’ whenever the word ‘church’ appeared. He is how they sounded. “I am out of the habit of going to the movies, that’s why I no longer attend.” “I know a man who has gone to the movies for years, and he is no better than I am.” Another replied, “There are as many good people outside the movies as inside.” Some said, “I stay away from movies, as I was made to go as a child.” Ridiculous excused indeed.
Some people are looking for the perfect church. Alas, it isn’t to be found.
Spurgeon said to one man who was looking for such a church. “If you find it please don’t join it, because you’ll absolutely ruin it!”
- Pastor David Goudy