Three community leaders got together for a fishing trip.
A Catholic priest, a Baptist minister, and a Jewish rabbi were fishing in a boat a short distance off-shore on a beautiful lake. The fish weren't biting, but the three enjoyed the camaraderie and some light conversation.
After a while, the priest cast his line, and the hook got snagged in some weeds near the shore. He put his pole down, stepped over the side of the boat, walked across the top of the water, freed his hook, walked back across the water, got back in the boat, and resumed fishing.
No one said a word. The rabbi felt he was lucky to be friends with such a righteous man.
A short while later, the minister cast his line, and the hook got snagged on a rock near the shore. He set his pole down, stepped over the side of the boat, walked across the top of the water, freed the snag, returned to the boat, and resumed fishing.
Now, the rabbi was very impressed. He was in the presence of two very righteous men. But the more he thought about it, he knew it was just a matter of faith. After all, he too was a man of God, and his faith was strong. Perhaps he should show his friends how strong his faith is.
So the rabbi whips his line and gets his hook snagged on some tree branches at the shoreline. He set his pole down, stepped over the edge of the boat, and sank in the water over his head. He was splashing and floundering around. The minister and the priest reached over and grabbed him and pulled him back into the boat.
The rabbi sat there, soaking wet, his line still snagged in the tree. He was confused but knew in his heart that his faith would not fail him. He stood up, stepped over the side of the boat, and down he went again.
The priest and the minister quickly grabbed him and started pulling him into the boat. They got him halfway in, and the minister looked at the priest and said:
"Should we show him where the rocks are or just let him drown?"
