Why didn't somebody tell me: Homily for Sunday, April 9, 2023

There was a little boy who would not pray. I remember him every Easter. He would not pray, he said, "Because is dead." He had clearly grasped the message of the crucifixion. When I told him "Jesus is risen! Jesus is alive!" he got this exasperated look on his face and said, "Well, why didn't somebody tell me?" And I think of this every Easter, because I don't in my words and actions tell enough people that Jesus is alive, and there are still too many dark places in my soul where I do not know Jesus is alive.

Given at Saint Dominic Priory, Saint Louis, Missouri. Readings for Today. Listen to our other homilies.

Why didn’t somebody tell me?

There was a little boy who would not pray. I remember him every Easter. He would not pray, he said, “Because is dead.” He had clearly grasped the message of the crucifixion. When I told him “Jesus is risen! Jesus is alive!” he got this exasperated look on his face and said, “Well, why didn’t somebody tell me?” And I think of this every Easter, because I don’t in my words and actions tell enough people that Jesus is alive, and there are still too many dark places in my soul where I do not know Jesus is alive.