“The question is often asked: If we are such a Christian country, why is our national life so deeply wounded by corruption?

Why are funds meant for the poor stolen? Why do vote-buying, bribery, dishonesty, and abuse of power continue? How can we pray in church on Sunday and then cheat others on Monday?

Today’s Gospel gives us something to reflect on.

Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower. The same seed falls on different kinds of soil. The seed is good. The problem is not the seed. The problem is the soil.

For centuries, the seed of God’s Word has been planted in our country. But being baptized is not enough. Calling ourselves Catholic is not enough. The Word of God must take root in the way we live.

Some hear God’s Word, but money speaks louder. Some know what is right, but choose what is convenient. Others allow greed, ambition, and the desire for power to choke their conscience.

This is why we can have many baptized Christians, but not enough transformed Christians.

Scripture tells us: “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers” (James 1:22).

But here is something important: We cannot make ourselves good soil by our own strength alone. We need God’s grace.

If you have ever tried to change a bad habit, forgive someone who deeply hurt you, resist a strong temptation, or let go of pride, you know how difficult it can be. Sometimes we want to change, but we struggle. Our hearts can become hard. Pride can become like stones. Greed, resentment, fear, and ambition can grow like thorns.

That is why we need to pray: “Lord, prepare the soil of my heart. Remove what is hard in me. Pull out the weeds of sin. Break the stones of pride and selfishness. Make my heart ready for Your Word.”

God is not finished with us. Even hard soil can be cultivated. Even a heart full of weeds can be cleaned. Even wounded soil can bear fruit again. But we must allow God to work on us—through prayer, the Eucharist, confession, and daily conversion.

And when we speak about corruption, we should not only point our fingers at politicians. Corruption begins in ordinary life: when we lie, cheat, give bribes, sell our votes, use connections unfairly, or remain silent because we benefit from what is wrong.

So the question today is not simply, “Are you Catholic?” The deeper question is: “What kind of soil are you?”

Has the Gospel changed the way you use money? The way you vote? The way you work? The way you exercise power? The way you treat others?

Planting for others

Let me end with a story.

A father and his young son were planting a mango tree. The boy asked, “Papa, when will this tree bear fruit?”

The father answered, “Perhaps many years from now. Maybe I will not even be here to eat its fruit.”

The boy looked puzzled. “Then why are you planting it?”

The father smiled and said, “Because, my son, someone planted the trees whose fruits we enjoy today.”

Final Words

My dear brothers and sisters, sometimes we become discouraged with our country. We see corruption, division, poverty, and injustice, and we ask, “Will the Philippines ever change?”

Perhaps we will not see every change we hope for in our lifetime. But that does not mean we stop planting.

Plant honesty where there is corruption. Plant kindness where there is hatred. Plant truth where there are lies. Plant justice where there is abuse. Plant faith where there is despair. And teach our children to do the same.

Never say, “Everyone is corrupt, so I might as well be corrupt too.” No. A Christian does not follow the darkness. A Christian carries the light.

The sower in today’s Gospel did not stop sowing because some soil was bad. He kept sowing. So let us keep planting the seeds of the Gospel in our families, our workplaces, our communities, and our nation.

Do not wait for the whole Philippines to become good soil. Begin with your own heart. And perhaps, one day, our children and grandchildren will enjoy the fruits of the seeds of honesty, justice, and faith that we courageously plant today.

The Philippines can still change. But the change must begin somewhere. Let it begin with me. Let it begin with you. Let it begin today.”