I so enjoy the praying with the works of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. His use of lighting and colors is amazing. In this painting of Saint Jerome reflecting upon his own imperfections and memento mori 
(remember thy death) I cannot help but think of Wm. Shakespeare‘s Hamlet with his aching words, “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me on his back a thousand times, and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft...” Hamlet makes this speech in the graveyard when he holds up the skull of Yorick. It is a best known and one of the more complex speeches in dramatic works. Here, Hamlet considers human fate by comparing the skull of Yorick with other living human beings. It is a reflection of Hamlet’s mature and new outlook on human life and the enviable death that never ceases.
This weekend our Gospel of John shows us the protective and merciful love of Jesus upon the woman caught in adultery by those all too accusatory pharisees. As we enter into this final Lenten week before Holy Week, you are invited to be bold in falling upon the protective and merciful love of Jesus for you (no matter who accuses or what someone has done). Use this time well to make plans for eternity.
Speaking of future plans, thank you to all who have so wonderfully come forward to help support the building of the Memorare Center that will greatly benefit our entire parish family and prepare us to go out to serve those most in need of Jesus Christ. We are currently at nearly $900,000 of our goal and are excited about reaching what we need to make it all happen. May we continue to pray that whatever we sacrificially do as a parish, we may boldly lead others to Heaven.
Pax, Fr. Bline
(N.B. Memento Mori also means we remember our death through the lives of those who have led us. Whether it’s for this week’s birthdays, anniversaries or memorials, please offer a prayer for some special parishioners who have given so much of themselves: Betty Zelenka, Zoey Kohler, Kathleen Ott, Jim & Pat Mesko, Connie Reed, John Duckworth, Michael VanDevere, Sean Raymond Patrick Stripe, Andy & Brooke Schon, Shirley Clark, Pat Huddleston, Mrs. Norine Woost).
