“We cannot live our faith casually, just to follow rules. We must live with the certainty that what we do and how we act has eternal consequences,” Archbishop Zeca said.
The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) went on to emphasize the centrality of love and justice in Christ’s Gospel.
He said, “Love is the key to Christian life. Without love, everything we do loses its meaning. Love is not a fleeting feeling or momentary emotion, but a deliberate, continuous action expressed in concrete gestures of care, respect, and pursuit of the common good.”
“True justice is not based on personal interests, selfish gains, or power but aligns with God’s will, seeks the dignity of every person, and works toward building a more fraternal and supportive world,” Archbishop Zeca said.
Through love and justice, he said, “Christians bear witness to God’s presence in the world.”
The Catholic Church leader warned about dangers that surround those, who seek to live according to Christian principles.
He said, “Satan is the enemy of souls, and he does not sleep. He works tirelessly to turn Christians away from God’s will. He appears in many forms – desires for power, wealth, fleeting pleasures – and often, the temptations he presents seem harmless or even attractive, but they all aim to destroy our relationship with God.”
The Local Ordinary of Huambo since his installation in December 2018 following his transfer from Luanda Catholic Archdiocese, where he had been serving as Auxiliary Bishop called for vigilance.
“It is very easy to fall into the enemy’s traps. But Christians must always be vigilant because Satan knows how to deceive and make us fall without realizing it. That is why we must live our faith seriously and constantly guard our souls,” he said in his November 17 homily.
Referring to the Gospel of the thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the SVD Bishop further warned, “The world we live in is temporary. Everything material and perishable will one day be consumed. This world, with its riches, temples, palaces, and glories, will pass away. Everything that seems solid and secure will one day disappear.”
