Fr Paul Gooley reads from the Gospel of John (1: 35-42) in which some of John the Baptist’s disciples leave him to follow Jesus. Fr Paul says the story of the call of the very first disciples takes place in the Jordan valley, where John was baptising. The first two to be called are disciples of John the Baptist, so they had originally joined his group of those waiting for the Messiah. They were ready when John pointed Jesus out. It is striking that Jesus first calls them to be with him, and first of all they remain with him for a time. First, in our call to follow Christ, comes prayer and getting to know Christ before we can actively work for Christ and bring others to share his joy. Only after this time with Jesus do they sprint off in their enthusiasm and bring others, like Simon Peter, to join in the benefits they have received from the tranquility of keeping company with Jesus. For our reflection today, Fr Paul says we might ask ourselves a simple question, like Andrew and others in the Gospel, ‘Do I spend time getting to know Jesus?’