For years, I haven’t given up anything for Lent. Father Antonio Rosmini coined the term PPIs or Peculiar Penances of the Institute. (The Institute of Charity is the name of our religious order.) They are those little or big crosses that come unexpectedly. It takes a lot of grace to embrace these crosses joyfully every day, and I couldn’t do it without Jesus helping me.
When I read Jesus’s words, PPIs came to mind: "Why are you troubled?" I wonder how often Jesus has asked you and me, "Why are you troubled?" He said this to His disciples on the first Easter Sunday. They thought they saw a ghost when He appeared to them. It’s like He is saying, "Don’t you get it? I am alive. May I have a piece of fish?" So, He took it and ate it. Yummy.
Eating the fish before the disciples proved that Jesus was not a ghost. So, when you and I are troubled, Jesus will ask us for a piece of fish. The piece of fish is the incredible thing that only Jesus can do in any struggle we are experiencing – a PPI. So, the piece of fish is trust, the trust that Jesus will bear the battle for me and bring me through it to the other side (resurrection). It’s just as He promised, "Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest."
Gospel Challenge:
The "rest" is a tiny drop of heaven – a little resurrection from the dead. So, what fish are you giving to Jesus today?
July 15, 2025, Matthew 11:20-24 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071525.cfm Woe! The words of Jesus, “Woe to you, Chorazin, and Bethsaida,” may sound harsh, but they carry a concerned
July 12, 2025, Matthew 10:24-33 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071225.cfm Like the Master – like the Teacher Teachers and coaches have an innate quality of wanting to help others
July 11, 2025, Matthew 10:16-23 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071125.cfm Not everyone will welcome the Good News of Jesus. Yesterday, we celebrated the courage of the early missionaries as
July 10, 2025, Matthew 10:7-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071025.cfm You Are Sending Me? Really? Are we ever ready to bring Jesus to others? Our world teaches us to
Thursday in the Octave of Easter April 4, 2024
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Thursday in the Octave of Easter
April 4, 2024, Luke 24:35-48
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041323.cfm
Why Are You Troubled? May I Have A Piece of Fish?
For years, I haven’t given up anything for Lent. Father Antonio Rosmini coined the term PPIs or Peculiar Penances of the Institute. (The Institute of Charity is the name of our religious order.) They are those little or big crosses that come unexpectedly. It takes a lot of grace to embrace these crosses joyfully every day, and I couldn’t do it without Jesus helping me.
When I read Jesus’s words, PPIs came to mind: "Why are you troubled?" I wonder how often Jesus has asked you and me, "Why are you troubled?" He said this to His disciples on the first Easter Sunday. They thought they saw a ghost when He appeared to them. It’s like He is saying, "Don’t you get it? I am alive. May I have a piece of fish?" So, He took it and ate it. Yummy.
Eating the fish before the disciples proved that Jesus was not a ghost. So, when you and I are troubled, Jesus will ask us for a piece of fish. The piece of fish is the incredible thing that only Jesus can do in any struggle we are experiencing – a PPI. So, the piece of fish is trust, the trust that Jesus will bear the battle for me and bring me through it to the other side (resurrection). It’s just as He promised, "Come to me, all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest."
Gospel Challenge:
The "rest" is a tiny drop of heaven – a little resurrection from the dead. So, what fish are you giving to Jesus today?
Love Your Neighbor.
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
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