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?
September 14, 2025, John 3:13-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm Don’t Be Afraid of the Sting In every Catholic Church and Chapel around the world, we celebrate today an
September 13, 2025, Luke 6:43-49 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091325.cfm Deep Roots I know a friend whose neighbor’s tree fell on her house during a tropical storm. It was
September 12, 2025, Luke 6:49-42 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091225.cfm Humility And Mercy “When fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” This is the grace of God,
September 11, 2025, Luke 6:27-38 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091125.cfm Keeping Your Honor Cherishing our honor is essential, but losing sight of it can make us feel disconnected from
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
Share:
More Posts
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14, 2025, John 3:13-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm Don’t Be Afraid of the Sting In every Catholic Church and Chapel around the world, we celebrate today an
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Saturday, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
September 13, 2025, Luke 6:43-49 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091325.cfm Deep Roots I know a friend whose neighbor’s tree fell on her house during a tropical storm. It was
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Friday, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
September 12, 2025, Luke 6:49-42 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091225.cfm Humility And Mercy “When fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” This is the grace of God,
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Thursday, 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
September 11, 2025, Luke 6:27-38 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091125.cfm Keeping Your Honor Cherishing our honor is essential, but losing sight of it can make us feel disconnected from
Categories
Send Us A Message