The beach is a great attraction for visitors to Florida and people who live here. I always find praying easy while walking on the sand and listening to the calming waves. One can’t help but notice all the shells, especially the scallop shells. The grooves on the scallop shell radiate out to the edge of the shell.
The scallop shell is the emblem used for St. James the apostle, as it symbolizes our faith journey. James was one of the first disciples Jesus called at the Sea of Galilee. He was a fisherman with his brother John and faithful to Jesus throughout his faith journey.
Along with Peter and John, he witnessed the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. He was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest. After the Ascension, St. James traveled through the Roman Empire to Spain, where he spread the Gospel. Jesus asked James if he could drink the same cup He drank, meaning the cup of suffering. He said he could and did.
St. James was the first apostle of Jesus to be martyred for the faith in the year 44 A.D. by the sword under Herod Agrippa. Take notice that the grooves of the scallop shell move outward, just as St. James brought the faith of Jesus to Spain.
Where did he get the strength to give his life for Jesus? We must remember that those grooves of the scallop lead back to the center. So, like St. James, may our journey in life always lead us back to our center, Jesus. Take a moment and make that your intention today.
September 16, 2025, Luke 7:11-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091625.cfm “I Command You; Get Up!” My heart goes out to parents who have lost a child. The pain feels
September 15, 2025, John 19:33-35 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091525.cfm No Other Way Nothing is harder than a parent burying their own child. How can anyone understand the pain of
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
St. James the Apostle 2022
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for St. James the Apostle 6-25-2022
St. James the Apostle 2022
Matthew 20:20-28 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072522.cfm
ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE
The beach is a great attraction for visitors to Florida and people who live here. I always find praying easy while walking on the sand and listening to the calming waves. One can’t help but notice all the shells, especially the scallop shells. The grooves on the scallop shell radiate out to the edge of the shell.
The scallop shell is the emblem used for St. James the apostle, as it symbolizes our faith journey. James was one of the first disciples Jesus called at the Sea of Galilee. He was a fisherman with his brother John and faithful to Jesus throughout his faith journey.
Along with Peter and John, he witnessed the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. He was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest. After the Ascension, St. James traveled through the Roman Empire to Spain, where he spread the Gospel. Jesus asked James if he could drink the same cup He drank, meaning the cup of suffering. He said he could and did.
St. James was the first apostle of Jesus to be martyred for the faith in the year 44 A.D. by the sword under Herod Agrippa. Take notice that the grooves of the scallop shell move outward, just as St. James brought the faith of Jesus to Spain.
Where did he get the strength to give his life for Jesus? We must remember that those grooves of the scallop lead back to the center. So, like St. James, may our journey in life always lead us back to our center, Jesus. Take a moment and make that your intention today.
IGNITE THE FIRE!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor
or .
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday, 24th Week in Ordinary Time
September 16, 2025, Luke 7:11-17 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091625.cfm “I Command You; Get Up!” My heart goes out to parents who have lost a child. The pain feels
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily Memorial of our Lady of Sorrows
September 15, 2025, John 19:33-35 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091525.cfm No Other Way Nothing is harder than a parent burying their own child. How can anyone understand the pain of
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
Categories
Send Us A Message