As I write this the United States just won the Women’s World Cup of Soccer. I am always struck by the irony of thousands of undisciplined fans cheering wildly for a team of athletes who have had to undergo years of disciplined practice, exercise and self-control. These are people who have submitted to regular sacrifice and disciplined preparation for a common goal, while their rowdy fans drink lots of beer, avoid exercise themselves, yet take pride in their team when it wins!

Temples. Holy places. Sacred spaces. We multiply shrines and worshipping places throughout the world in order to commune with the divine. Unfortunately, they often substitute for a true way to God.

With time, and given the human sinful condition, even the Jerusalem temple – built at God’s command – became a place of idolatry and commerce.

“You must be born again.” This well-known saying, as any one-liner, needs a wider context to communicate its true meaning.

Nicodemus came to see Jesus by night – one of many temporal references in John, probably meant here as a subtle allusion to Nicodemus’ spiritual state. After all, the fourth gospel has much to say about “spiritual darkness.”

Counting the number of “likes” on your postings? Seeking to find more friends on social media? Most of us like being centre stage, if not in real life, then in our imaginary world.

When John’s disciples reported to him, seemingly at their dismay, that people were going to Jesus (rather than coming to him), John showed no eagerness to remain centre stage.

Two topics are often off-limits when meeting new people: politics and religion. People have their own opinion, and true exchanges of ideas are quite rare. After all, religions only divide people, right?

In today’s text, a Samaritan woman comes by herself to draw water at the well, much later than other women.

Badges, tags, titles. CEO, President, Commander, Officer, Honorable, Prime Minister, Professor, Doctor; societies lack no titles. Used improperly, titles pretend, deceive, abuse. But in the best case scenario, titles identity, testify, certify.

“What a lovely ring,” my friend said.

I nodded. “My daughter gave it to me,” I said.

My response was immediate and came naturally.