Kalookan Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula on Sunday urged Filipinos to anchor their hopes in faith rather than human promises as the country faces natural disasters, corruption, social hardship, and moral challenges.
Speaking at a Mass in Manila Cathedral marking the close of the archdiocese’s Jubilee Year of Hope, Advincula acknowledged widespread anxiety about the nation’s future but stressed that hope remains alive.
“Is there still hope for the Philippines?” he asked in his homily.
“The answer of the Jubilee Year to all of us is clearly yes, there is hope.”
The cardinal said the hope celebrated by Christians, especially during Christmas, is rooted in Jesus Christ and not in ideologies or temporary assurances.
“Hope cannot be found in human promises or ideologies. Hope comes only from the promise of God,” he said.
Advincula described the past year as a difficult one for many Filipinos, noting that the Jubilee Year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” unfolded amid destructive earthquakes, typhoons, and public scandals that have shaken trust and burdened families.
“It is not easy to ignite hope,” he said, particularly at a time when many are confronted with news of lost resources and unrealized projects.
Such realities, he added, have wounded lives, livelihoods, and the moral fabric of society, making perseverance a daily struggle.
Despite these challenges, Advincula called on the faithful to allow the Jubilee Year to bring inner renewal. Hope, he said, must be lived and shared, not merely observed.
“We are not just pilgrims of hope, but we must become hope,” he said, urging Catholics to live differently, speak with courage, and witness hope with conviction.
He added that hope is often born and sustained precisely where poverty and hardship persist.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Cardinal Advincula: Anchor hope in faith, not human promises”
