“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Acts 2:1-4

“When you strip it of everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That’s what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost.” (David Wilkerson,The Cross and the Switchblade)

There is a story about Mother Teresa, possibly apocryphal, in which it is told she had a dream about ministering to the sick and dying. When she expressed this dream to her superiors, they asked her, “How much money do you have?”  She responded, “Two pennies.”  They responded, “With two pennies you can’t do anything.” She replied, “With two pennies I can’t do anything, but with God and two pennies, I can do anything.” 

I love this story – whether true or not. And this is the sense that we should have about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of the church. With the Holy Spirit, leading us and guiding us, we seemingly can do anything. I know that sounds really easy and simple – and I am sure you will agree with me that the life of Mother Teresa was not simple and easy. But I imagine she had a faith that, over the years, taught her to trust the Lord with all her heart, mind and strength. It is a good lesson for us to remember this day – and every day.

Pastor Dave