Emphasis Preaching Journal

In his recent book, The Outsider, Howard Fast describes a scene where a young Jewish rabbi is receiving his first assignment to a small Jewish community, north of New York City. His superior says "You must love your congregation, even when they're least loveable -- which can be frequently." The old experienced rabbi continues with more sobering spiritual directives: "Don't expect righteousness or even integrity. You teach it. And don't expect gratitude. It is very precious and in time it will come, but don't expect it."