The work of the Holy Spirit is to prevail over the many spirits seeking to exercise power over us and draw us away from God. In our gospel lesson for today, and in the whole gospel of Mark, Jesus’ ministry is a confrontation with the forces of evil at work in the world. Few of us will experience literal demonic possession, but in ways large and small, we see the Spirit at work in our lives as we are empowered and equipped to resist the evil that touches our lives.