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.
December 4, 2025, Matthew 7:21, 24-27 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120425.cfm Never Satisfied. That is Tom Brady, who was the quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He acknowledged the
December 3, 2025, Matthew 15:29-37 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120325.cfm NEVER HUNGER. HOW IS THAT? A few years ago, a local restaurant donated turkeys for our parishioners to feed people
December 2, 2025, Luke 10:21-24 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120225.cfm INTIMACY LEADS TO TRUST! Throughout His life, Jesus had one human person with whom He shared a very similar
November 30, 2025, Matthew 24:37-44 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm Let your light shine! Have you ever walked away from your car and wondered if you locked it? Did you
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
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