One of the hardest of human experiences is being sick. When dealing with sickness, let us remember that we are body and soul. Both are interrelated… that is, when the body is sick, the soul is affected and when the soul is deep into sin, the body is affected. 

In the Gospel, we often hear that Jesus healed the sick. Interestingly, there were some healings that the demons were exorcised: “He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many shouting, ‘You are the Son of God’. ”

What then, do demons have to do with our sicknesses?

1. Many times before healing, Jesus would say, “Your sins are forgiven”. Why does he have to forgive? Because as it was then and as it is now, many of our sicknesses come from negative emotions – anger, a lack of forgiveness, fear, etc.  Hence one of the best ways to heal the soul is through Confession, which forgives sins.
    
2. Have nothing to do with the occult. This is a chicken and egg problem. When we are sick one of the options is to go “healers”. Know the background of the healer. Even if there are Catholic images, we cannot be sure that the healing is from God. Even if the healer is a priest, a nun, or a brother, know the family background. If the person comes from a family of healers then most likely the healing power is passed from one generation to the next. Typically, there is an occult spirit attached to the family. Healing of occult practitioners is typically fast but eventually, the sickness returns in the worst condition. 
   
3. Avoid Sin. Why are there people who get hit by a sickness, caused by a hex? It is because they are not in a state of grace. Hence the evil spirit can afflict the body because there is an opening in the person. 

That is why in the Mass, as we pray for healing we remember three things:

• First, when it comes to our bodies, it is the doctor’s vocation to cure it.
  
• Second, when it comes to our soul, the Church has three sacraments of healing: Confession, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Eucharist.
  
• Third, when it comes to our bodies, remember that it came from dust and to dust it will return. What is most important is the state of our souls.