From now until Lent we will be reading from the Gospel of St. Mark chapter by chapter. The gospel begins with the “good news” that the “kingdom is at hand” and with the call of the first disciples. Jesus is then portrayed as an authoritative teacher and as someone with power of the evil spirits. That serves as a warning to those who say “I am spiritual, but not religious.” There are spiritual forces out there that are hostile to your well being. What religion provides is some guidance and tools to discern which of the spirits are from God and which are not. The teaching of Jesus preserved by religion ensure that we are being led by those spirits which lead to true happiness.
