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 us and bring us through it to the other side, that is our “little” resurrection on this side of death. 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 is Jesus carrying for you today?
April 02, 2026, John 13:1-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040226.cfm You Can’t Have One Without The Other. I completed my studies in DerrysWood, south of London, England. Our community
April 1, 2026, Matthew 26:14-25 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040126.cfm We Have No Suspects. If I owned a major sports team like the Bucs or the Rays, I would
March 31, 2026, John 13: 21-33,36-38 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033126.cfm So Many Chances. The nightly local news often reports a crime committed, and they say, “At this time,
March 30, 2026, John 12:1-11 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033026.cfm Tears that Heal Here we are, Monday of Holy Week. Where did those five weeks of Lent go? Please,
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Thursday in the Octave of Easter
April 24, 2025, Luke 24:35-48
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042425.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 us and bring us through it to the other side, that is our “little” resurrection on this side of death. 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 is Jesus carrying for you today?
Love Your Neighbor.
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Holy Thursday -Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
April 02, 2026, John 13:1-15 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040226.cfm You Can’t Have One Without The Other. I completed my studies in DerrysWood, south of London, England. Our community
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Wednesday of Holy Week
April 1, 2026, Matthew 26:14-25 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040126.cfm We Have No Suspects. If I owned a major sports team like the Bucs or the Rays, I would
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday of Holy Week
March 31, 2026, John 13: 21-33,36-38 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033126.cfm So Many Chances. The nightly local news often reports a crime committed, and they say, “At this time,
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Monday of Holy Week
March 30, 2026, John 12:1-11 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033026.cfm Tears that Heal Here we are, Monday of Holy Week. Where did those five weeks of Lent go? Please,
Categories
Send Us A Message