In a time when the pace of life seems relentlessly fast and the pursuit of happiness often feels elusive, Dr. Chliejvferwyn C. Catolico, President of South Philippine Adventist College, offered a profound and refreshing perspective during his sermon at the Kidapawan City Adventist Church on September 11. Speaking as part of the Discover Your Way with God Online Series, he explored the Sabbath not merely as a religious observance, but as a divine key to lasting joy and spiritual renewal.
Dr. Catolico began by drawing attention to the very beginning of Scripture, where in Genesis 2:2–3, God Himself rested on the seventh day after creating the world. This act of divine rest was not born out of exhaustion, but out of intentionality. God blessed and sanctified the seventh day, setting it apart as holy. According to him, this moment reveals the Sabbath as a sacred rhythm embedded into creation—a weekly invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the Creator.
He then turned to the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, where the Sabbath is commanded to be remembered and kept holy. Doc Bobot, as he is fondly called, emphasized that this command is not a burdensome rule, but a loving reminder from God to protect our well-being. The Sabbath, he explained, is a sanctuary in time—a day to step away from the demands of work and the distractions of the world, and to enter into communion with God and with one another. It is a day that restores balance and reminds us of our identity as children of God.
To deepen the understanding of the Sabbath’s purpose, Dr. Chliejvferwyn referenced Jesus’ words in Mark 2:27, where Christ declares that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” This statement, he noted, reframes the Sabbath from a legalistic obligation into a gracious gift. It was designed for our benefit—to nourish our souls, strengthen our relationships, and provide space for healing and joy. Dr. Catolico urged his listeners to see the Sabbath not as a restriction, but as a divine provision for happiness.
One of the most moving parts of the sermon came when this passionate educator reflected on Isaiah 58:13–14, which speaks of calling the Sabbath a delight and finding joy in the Lord. He challenged his audience to shift their mindset and embrace the Sabbath as a time of celebration rather than mere compliance. When we honor the Sabbath with sincerity and joy, he said, we experience a deeper kind of happiness—one that flows from spiritual intimacy and divine peace.
Throughout the sermon, Dr. Catolico wove together biblical wisdom with practical insights, noting how Sabbath observance contributes to mental clarity, emotional stability, and relational harmony. In a world filled with noise and pressure, the Sabbath offers a sacred pause—a moment to breathe, to listen, and to be renewed. He concluded with a heartfelt appeal to rediscover the Sabbath as a source of happiness, reminding everyone that joy is not found in endless activity, but in resting with God.
The evening’s episode was hosted by Ma’am Ivan Mae Flores, SePUM Media Production Head and Dr. Don Leo Garilva II of South Philippine Adventist College; while the soul-inspiring music was rendered by the My Redeemer’s Symphony from “the School That Nurtures Holistic Excellence.”
As Ellen G. White beautifully affirmed, “The Sabbath calls our thoughts to nature, and brings us into communion with the Creator,” reminding us that true happiness is found not in endless striving, but in resting joyfully in the presence of God. The Desire of Ages, 281.4
