Homily 19 #

On Tuesday of the Second Week of the Fast: A Teaching of Saint John Chrysostom on Those Who Seek Healing from Sorcerers

In this life, when we are afflicted by sorrows—whether through the loss of possessions or through severe illness—God grants us relief from the greater torments to come. When you fall into grievous sickness, many will come urging you in different directions—some will suggest turning to sorcerers, others to enchanters. But you, placing your trust in God, be steadfast in patience, for these sufferings will bring you a crown and deliverance from eternal torment. If you endure sickness, give thanks to God.

Why do we call ourselves Christians? Let us then submit to Christ and not go to the enemies of God—sorcerers and enchanters—for they are adversaries of the Lord. It is better to die than to seek them out. What gain is there in healing the body while destroying the soul? What profit is there in receiving a little comfort here, only to be sent into torment and eternal fire with the demons?

Consider what has happened before: King Ahaziah fell ill, and instead of seeking God’s help, he sent messengers to inquire of sorcerers. God afflicted him with sickness to bring him to repentance for his sins. But instead of turning to the Lord, he sent to the idol Baal and his priests to ask whether he would recover. Oh, what great evil! What mindless folly! He abandoned God and turned to sorcerers to seek an answer concerning his life.

But the prophet Elijah met the messengers of Ahaziah and said to them: “Go, tell your king: Since you have abandoned God and His law, and have sent to inquire of demons about your life, hear this word from the Lord: You shall die before your time, because you have forsaken God and have sought the counsel of the servants of demons.”

Thus, brethren, death comes before its time to those who go to sorcerers. The holy apostles condemned sorcery, and the holy fathers likewise rejected it at the councils, barring those who consulted sorcerers from communion for a long time and imposing upon them heavy penances to cleanse them of that sin.

Flee, my beloved brethren, from this accursed sorcery, lest you die before your time and inherit eternal torment. But you may say, “My sickness is very severe and brings me great suffering.” Yet you have not suffered as much as the blessed Job. After his flocks and herds were taken, after he was stripped of all his possessions, and after all his children were taken from him, he did not curse God but said with patience: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.” And when he lay covered in sores for seven years, he did not seek healing through sorcery but said: “It is better for me to die than to betray my faith by turning to sorcery.”

Likewise, the paralyzed man who lay sick for thirty-eight years did not call for physicians or go to enchanters but waited for help from God. And Lazarus, poor and sick, lay at the rich man’s gate his whole life, disregarded and mocked, and yet he never sought out physicians, nor did he turn to sorcerers, but bore his suffering until death.

And what mercy shall we receive? They endured such great suffering, but if we fall sick for even a short time, we call for doctors and sorcerers to our homes. O brethren! Just as gold is tested in fire, so is a person purified from sin through suffering.

Let us remember, brethren, the apostles, prophets, and martyrs—how great were the sufferings they endured! For as much as someone suffers in this life, so much greater shall be their reward in the heavenly kingdom. Consider, O man, that sorcerers cannot remove your illness, but you will commit a great and terrible sin: forsaking God and running to demons. What mercy, then, do you expect from Him? How can you call upon Him in prayer? Why do you destroy your soul, and what answer will you give to God?

For the sake of a small sickness, you abandon God and seek out sorcerers. How then will you stand in the Church? How will you partake of the Holy Mysteries? How will you listen to the divine readings? O man! If you endure sickness with thanksgiving, or any other tribulation, you will be crowned with the martyrs on that day—for they endured tortures, while you must patiently endure sickness and hardship with gratitude.

To our God be glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.