The Gospel According to Mark

Read by David Suchet

I would like to share this wonderfully read telling of the Gospel of Mark, read by David Suchet. Mark is an important part of the story of the New Testament, being the oldest and I think the least biased. Jesus is very much described as a man, there is little in the way of later Christian dogma attached, and we gain a perspective of Jesus as a travelling healer, a wise man, and I dare say, perhaps even a sorcerer.

Many of you may have never sat down with one of the Gospels, and I think it’s important that we spend some time treating with this material, even if you would prefer to be entirely academic and a-religious about it. We can appreciate myths on many levels, and as part of our Guide I would like to invite those of you who have a strong aversion to Christianity to attempt to sit with and listen to this reading of Mark, even if for a small space of time, and see what can be learned. As a sorcerer, we should be able to inhabit belief and myth in unique ways. This retelling of Mark will hopefully reward you with some fresh insights into the nature of Christ within our magic. However, if you are familiar with the Gospels, then I invite you to listen and recognise what is absent from this telling of the story.

I would also like to invite you to take a moment to remember that Christmas is not founded on commercialism and consumerism, but instead represents a celebration of something far more important and meaningful. Be that a chance to spend quality time with our loved ones, to reap the spoils of a year of labour and toil, or to spend time in reflection of our accomplishments. Regardless of our particular beliefs or faiths, we should take this opportunity to encounter the magic present within this period of Time and explore that meaning. Christ had a very particular message for us, that message is something you can find by yourself, but my message, and also my healing, was that we are all in this together, and we are better off united than tearing each other apart. We have this chance to make the World a better place.

Finally, we should remember that the Grimoires are receptacles of ancient heterodox beliefs from a wide host of religions, many of which predate Christianity. However, it was through Christianity that the European Grimoire Tradition was successfully transmitted into the modern era. We can choose to strip it away, or we can learn to accommodate its presence within our sorcery. That is ultimately your own personal endeavour.

I wish you all a very happy holiday,

Mat