On a personal note, one thing that has helped me in the priesthood is the ministry of exorcism.

• Among the ministries in the Church, it is only exorcism that deals with the world of the unseen. Further, St. Paul reminds us that the greatest battle ever among principalities – good versus evil, is constantly ongoing. 
• The Holy Water that we take for granted and sometimes don’t even want to dip our hands for fear of being dirty. Why does a person shriek when sprinkled with Holy Water?
• We say the Feng Shui trinkets are harmless. Ask someone who is sensitive, he or she feels something heavy and negative wherever these are placed.

That is why the three messages of this Gospel are:

1. First, the reality is that in this world, there is the seen and unseen. Also, in the world of the unseen, there is a battle of principalities where there is good and there is evil. 
2. Second, good will always prevail. When Jesus healed the sick he reminded the people that God is still in control, and with God, nothing is impossible.
3. Third, the first commandment reminds us, that there is only one God and has never had anything to do with the occult or other Eastern religions and philosophies. Never deceive oneself that these things won’t hurt.

When it comes to healing, we will do everything and anything. Yet, let us be very careful as typically we will go to any healer. When comes to the Church, it has everything to offer a person: There are prayers, there are use of sacramentals and there are the sacraments of healing: Confession, Anointing of the Sick and Holy Eucharist. Thus the challenge is to have faith and trust in God’s plan for us.