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 and 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 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.
Gospel Challenge: 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 life journey lead us back daily to our center, Jesus. Take a moment and make that your intention today.
February 6, 2025, Mark 6:7-13 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020625.cfm Ignite the Fire in Each Other. During the challenging early months of the pandemic, the Lord Jesus blessed our
February 5, 2025, Mark 6:1-6 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020525.cfm Faith’s Struggles. It’s important to remember that we’re not alone in our struggles. Many who are serious about their
February 4, 2025, Mark 5:21-43 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020425.cfm Never Give UP. The more challenging life gets, the better we get, or do we? I had two operations
February 3, 2025, Mark 5:1-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020325.cfm Alone and Helpless. People handle pain in different ways. Some have acute pain that never goes away, and
Feast of St. James, Apostle July 25, 2024
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Feast of St. James, Apostle
July 25, 2024, Matthew 20:20-28
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072524.cfm
The Scallop.
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 and 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 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.
Gospel Challenge:
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 life journey lead us back daily to our center, Jesus. Take a moment and make that your intention today.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
pastor
Share:
More Posts
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Thursday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time
February 6, 2025, Mark 6:7-13 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020625.cfm Ignite the Fire in Each Other. During the challenging early months of the pandemic, the Lord Jesus blessed our
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Wednesday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time
February 5, 2025, Mark 6:1-6 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020525.cfm Faith’s Struggles. It’s important to remember that we’re not alone in our struggles. Many who are serious about their
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Tuesday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time
February 4, 2025, Mark 5:21-43 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020425.cfm Never Give UP. The more challenging life gets, the better we get, or do we? I had two operations
Fr. Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Monday, 4th Week in Ordinary Time
February 3, 2025, Mark 5:1-20 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020325.cfm Alone and Helpless. People handle pain in different ways. Some have acute pain that never goes away, and
Categories
Send Us A Message