“Many of us today feel weary. We are weary of corruption that seems never to end. We are weary of poverty that traps so many families. We are weary of hearing promises that do not seem to change anything.
And in moments like this, we are tempted to think: Nothing will ever change.
But today, the Word of God speaks a different message— a message of responsibility, conversion, and hope.
God entrusts the future to our choices (Sirach 15:15–20)
The first reading tells us plainly: God places before us life and death, good and evil, and invites us to choose.
This means that the future of our society is not shaped only by leaders and systems, but also by the everyday choices of ordinary people.
Corruption does not begin only in government offices; it begins when dishonesty is tolerated, when shortcuts are excused, when silence replaces courage.
God does not force us to choose the good. But He never stops calling us to choose life— in our homes, our workplaces, our communities.
Every small choice matters.
God’s wisdom challenges the logic of the world (1 Corinthians 2:6–10)
St. Paul reminds us that God’s wisdom is not the wisdom of this world.
The world often teaches us to protect ourselves at all costs, to seek power, comfort, and advantage, even if others suffer.
But God’s wisdom moves in the opposite direction. It listens to the cry of the poor.
It respects the dignity of every person. It cares for creation, knowing that abuse of the earth hurts the poorest first.
This wisdom does not come from wealth or influence. It is revealed by the Spirit to those who are willing to listen, to pray, and to examine their conscience.
A society that ignores God’s wisdom may grow economically, but it will grow morally fragile.
Jesus calls for conversion at the level of the heart (Matthew 5:17–37)
In the Gospel, Jesus brings everything to its deepest level.
He does not abolish the law; He fulfills it by moving it from external actions to the heart.
Anger, greed, lust, and dishonesty—when left unexamined— slowly become violence, exploitation, infidelity, and corruption.
Jesus teaches us that social problems are rooted in personal hearts. A broken society reflects broken hearts.
But this is also where hope begins.
If hearts can be converted, families can heal. Communities can be renewed. And even a wounded nation can change.
A Call to Hopeful Responsibility
Brothers and sisters, God has not abandoned our country. He continues to trust us with freedom. He offers us His wisdom. He calls us to integrity of heart.
We may feel small before the magnitude of our problems, but God works through people who choose what is right—one honest decision at a time, one act of compassion at a time, one courageous stand at a time.
Let us choose life over apathy. Truth over convenience. Compassion over indifference. Care for creation over abuse.
When our hearts are converted, our choices change.
When our choices change, our society slowly changes.
May the Lord give us hearts that choose life— for our families, for our country, and for future generations. Amen.”