A Soulful Journey

Professor Mordecai Kaplan, the founder of Reconstructionist Judaism. Kaplan taught homiletics (the art of sermons) at the Jewish Theological Seminary. One day a young rabbinical student delivered a sermon to the class, and Kaplan said, “Very nice.” The student was relieved until he came back to class a week later. Kaplan harshly criticized the sermon. “But last week you liked it,” said the student. Kaplan replied, “I’ve changed since then.”  - Michael Gold Wisdom is the ability to change.

Rabbi: “Why is it that I’ve barely begin my sermon before you close your eyes and go to sleep?  You don’t even know what I’m going to say.” Congregant: “Don’t worry, rabbi, I trust you.”  -Rabbi Colin Eimer

Rabbi Yehudah Satmerer would often ridicule his audience.  During one sermon, when he realized what he had done, he paused and said," My friends, do not think for a moment that I intended all those harsh words only for you.  In reality I meant myself.  But since I am aware that you are no better than I am, I spoke a little louder so that you too should hear." Be very careful before criticizing another.  Is your house all in order that you can speak about someone else's house?

As a visiting preacher, D.L. Moody was warned that some of the congregation left before the end of the sermon.   When he rose to begin his sermon, he announced, “I am going to speak to two classes of people this morning; first to the sinners and then to the saints.” He proceeded to address the “sinners” for a while, and then said they could leave.   For once, every member stayed to the end of the sermon.     – Viola Walden

As an usher in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Charlotte, N.C., I had the duty of giving the pastor his cloak after the service to ward of the cold as he greeted parishioners. Every week, Miss Agnes, a retired schoolteacher and lifetime member of the church, would shake the pastor's hand and eloquently praise the sermon.  One Sunday, he jovially questioned her about his sermon’s content.  Miss Agnes failed the quiz, but refused to let him have the last word. “I guess I’m like a wicker basket,” she said.  “If you put me down a well an bring me up, I don’t hold much water, but I feel a whole lot cleaner.” –Robert Kephart Being in good places will have its effect on our soul.  Where we are, the people with whom we surround ourselves makes all the difference.

Once a Zen Master stood up before his students and was about to deliver a sermon.   Jut as he was about to open his mouth, a bird sang.   And he said, “The sermon has been delivered.”   -Joseph Campbell

A minister had an agnostic friend with he often indulged in discussions on their respective views. The cleric kept urging for his friend to attend a religious service, hoping to be able to reach him under the most favorable conditions. Finally, the agnostic friend agreed to come and the preacher prepared and delivered a masterful sermon.  “I must say this for your sermon; it kept me awake almost all night.” The clergyman gloried.   “I am most happy that I finally was able to make you doubt the wisdom previous convictions.” ”Oh no!   It wasn’t at all!   You see when I nap during the day I cannot sleep at night.”

There was a little girl whom as she was leaving the synagogue, turned to her mother and said: “Mommy, the rabbi’s sermon confused me.”   The mother replied, “Oh? Why is that?”    The little girl told her, “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are.   Is that true, Mommy?” “Yes, that’s true honey.” “And he said that God lives in us?” Again the mother answered, “Yes.” “Well,” said the little girl, “If God is bigger than we are and lives in us, wouldn’t God show through ?”   -Rabbi Michael Zedek Answer? When we let Him.

This particular Sunday sermon.....'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...'  He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

One beautiful Sunday morning, a minister announced to his congregation: “My good people, I have here in my hands three sermons... a $1000 sermon that lasts five minutes, a $500 sermon that lasts fifteen minutes, and a $100 sermon that lasts a full hour.  Now, we’ll take the collection and see which one I’ll deliver.”