The weeks after Epiphany and after Pentecost are styled ‘Ordinary Time’, characterised by the use of green vestments, and on Sundays take us through the public ministry of Our Lord covering each of the ‘Synoptic’ Gospels over three years.

Year 2 or B sets us before us St Mark’s Gospel, but because it is shorter than the others some weeks it is supplemented by readings from St John’s Gospel, e.g. the explanation of the feeding of the Five Thousand, and also today.

Why did Simon and Andrew, James and John respond so promptly (Matthew and Luke) when Jesus calls them from their fishing nets ?

St John tells us that that this was not their first encounter.

Andrew was already a follower of John the Baptist.

John’s comment about Jesus as the Lamb of God inspired him to find out more and as a result Andrew brought Simon to Jesus.

This story also shows us how important friendship and family relationships can be in sharing the Faith.

Some people discover the Christian Faith through reading and reflection, but for most there is a human trigger – a friend or relative who in some way inspires them, or perhaps invites them to Church as a new place of encounter with God.