Thought for the day: Canon Michael Storey: St James and the scallop
History tells us that James, the brother of John, was killed by Herod, king of the Jews, on 25th July AD44.
Herod had become afraid of the growth of Christianity in Israel, in those far off days.
Indeed, Christianity had spread throughout the Mediterranean and as far west as to Spain, taken there by James.
As with the other disciples, James had come back to report his mission. Herod was jealous, so James was killed on 25th July AD44.
Tradition tells us that his body was then taken by ship to Spain, but the ship, carrying his body, was sunk and his body was washed up on the shore, covered in scallops.
It was then buried in what we know now as Santiago. However, Muslims invaded Spain in about 650AD and were not defeated until AD1492.
Since then Santiago (Saint James in English) has been a place of pilgrimage for Christians, by a variety of routes.
A scallop's shape signifies the pilgrimage to Santiago - all its grooves lead to the centre. As we go through life, there are many routes, may we all do our best to follow the Christian route.
Canon Michael Storey