In Man of the House: The Life and Political Memoirs of Speaker Tip O’Neill, O’Neill tells an old Irish story about Uncle Denny who met his priest as he was walking down the street.

The priest took one look at Uncle Denny and said, “You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Three weeks ago, you came in and took the pledge and vowed that you’d never take another drink as long as you live. And now look at you — you’re drunk.”

Uncle Denny replied, “I’m not drunk, Father. What makes you say a thing like that? I’m not drunk at all!”

The priest responded, “Well, if you’re not drunk, then why were you walking along with one foot on the curbstone and one foot in the gutter?”

Denny said, “I was?”

The priest confirmed, “Indeed you were.”

And Uncle Denny replied, “Thank the good Lord, I thought I was lame.”

Because of the apostle’s behavior at Pentecost, they too were accused of being drunk. How else could the people explain their wild appearance and behavior? These people knew that these followers of Jesus were different. However, their assessment as to why was wrong. The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit.

But it raises a question for us. When folks see and hear us, what do they assume? How do they explain our appearance and behavior? It may be that there is nothing to explain. If we seem to be like everybody else, then shame on us. We are not called to blend in— but to stand out in such a way that calls attention to our God. I wonder if too many Christians would never be mistaken for being drunk because their faith is so incredibly sober.

I don’t drink, so I am way out of my league here, but I think I know what I would do if I wanted to keep a bit of a buzz. I would start with a drink first thing in the morning. I would keep a flask or something with me all day long. I would have a drink or two at lunch and dinner. And I would have a nightcap before bed. I would hang out with people who thought the same way and we would get drunk together.

That would be my approach if I wanted to live under the influence of alcohol. Perhaps it serves as a model for how I might live under the influence of the Spirit— to keep in close contact with God all day and also to hang out with others who share my passion. Then it might be my privilege to be misunderstood by the people around me— just like those Spirit-filled forefathers in Jerusalem. The apostles weren’t drunk— just excited. They were filled with the Holy Spirit that they encountered through a violent wind and tongues of fire, and they took the message of Jesus to the entire earth. Pentecost was a moment of earth, wind, and fire.

We can’t create this wind and flame, but we can— and should— allow the Holy Spirit to work within us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

excerpt from Lectionary Tales For the Pulpit included in the Ministry Matters Premium Subscription