The pastor looked around the sanctuary. He commented on how many people were not with us. He said something to the effect that he hoped people were not missing because they were sick. I am not sure I agree with the reasoning.
If people are absent because they are sick then they had a legitimate reason to be home. When I was teaching it was called an “excused absence.” It is good to stay home when you are sick. Not only does it speed your healing but it keeps things that are infectious from spreading of others. Staying home is thoughtful and considerate.
Other reasons are not so good.
Sometimes people are gone because of an emergency. It could be anything from car trouble to a death in the family. In many cases I would prefer to hear that they had chills and fever than that one of their children was rushed to the hospital.
Sometimes people are just skipping worship to pursue personal interests. They may have had some shopping to do. Perhaps there was a sporting event they watched or went to. Maybe they decided to mow the lawn. None of these are evils but when they come as more important that corporate worship it is not a good sign.
So, no, I actually hope they are sick.
homo unius libri
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