An Imam & a Rabbi walked up to a man...

Secrets of a good sermon

Some years ago I was in Budapest, traveling the trams across the city on my way to Margaret's Island. While looking at my map, I was approached by a Rabbi. He asked me if he could help. After a quick chat, he smiled and jumped off the tram, waving. "See you soon!"; he said.

Three days later in Pest, the Eastern part of the city, I was in a restaurant in the centre on Dohany Street. As I sat watching the passers-by, who should walk past but the same Rabbi. Noticing me, he smiled and waved, walked in to the bar and started up conversation. 

Our hour long chat took in life, the universe, and everything. Finally, the Rabbi made his apologies, but he had to deliver a sermon. As he stood, he offered me his hand, smiled at me and said; "You know, you are more Jewish than you think. Why don't we meet after my sermon for another talk?"

Thanking him, but declining as I had other places to visit, I waved goodbye. Smiling, he said; "See you soon".

Later on that year, I was in Dubai. Sitting on a bench in the sunshine, I was approached by a gentleman who started up a conversation. After an intelligent and really rather pleasant chat about, yes, life, the universe and everything, he revealed he was an Imam.

Finally, the Imam stood and made his apologies, but he had to deliver a sermon. As he stood, he offered his hand, smiled at me and said; "You know, you are more Muslim than you think. Why don't we meet after my sermon for another talk?"

Thanking him, but declining as I had other places to visit, I waved goodbye. Smiling, he said; "See you soon".

“The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible.” George Burns