Chaplains to the students of Northern Michigan University at Marquette
in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They would get together two or
three times a week for coffee and to talk shop.
One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn't
really all that hard, a real challenge would be to preach to a bear.
One thing led to another, and they decided to do an experiment. They
would all go out into the woods, find a bear, preach to it, and
attempt to convert it to their religion.
Seven days later, they all came together to discuss their experiences.
Father Flannery, who had his arm in a sling, was on crutches, and had
various bandages on his body and limbs, went first.
'Well,' he said, 'I went into the woods to find me a bear. And when I
found him, I began to read to him from the Catechism.
Well, that bear wanted nothing to do with me and began to slap me
around. So I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and, Holy
Mary Mother of God, he became as gentle as a lamb. The Bishop is
coming out next week to give him first communion and confirmation.'
Reverend Billy Bob spoke next. He was in a wheelchair, had one arm and
both legs in casts, and had an IV drip.
In his best fire-and-brimstone oratory, he exclaimed, 'Well, brothers,
you know that we Baptists don't sprinkle! I went out and I found a
bear. And then I began to read to my bear from God's HOLY WORD! But
that bear wanted nothing to do with me. So I took hold of him and we
began to wrestle. We wrestled down one hill, up another and down
another until we came to a creek. So I quickly dunked him and baptized
his hairy soul. And just like you said, he became as gentle as a lamb.
We spent the rest of the day praising Jesus..Hallelujah!
The Priest and the Reverend both looked down at the Rabbi, who was
lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and traction with IVs
and monitors running in and out of him. He was in really bad shape.
The Rabbi looked up and said: "Looking back on it, ....circumcision
may not have been the best way to start."
Robie
