Have you ever been terrified? 

One of the phrases Jesus said most was, “Do not be afraid.” And yet, he also wants us to know when to be terrified and what to be terrified of. When we are with Jesus, we have nothing to be afraid of. But if we are not with him, that changes everything. That’s why these words from Jesus can be terrifying:

“What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Saint Guy of Anderlecht experienced firsthand how terrifying the possibility of losing your soul can be.

Guy was born in 950 to poor parents near Brussels, Belgium. When he was 14 years old, he became a sacristan at a large parish. He swept the floor, decorated the altars, and rang the bell for Mass and Vespers. Despite earning close to nothing, he became known for his generosity towards the poor.

With the hope of being able to give more to the needy, Guy moved to Brussels, influenced by a merchant’s promise of greater profits. He invested in a trading venture, but when the ship carrying his cargo sank, Guy saw it as God’s punishment for his greed. He was terrified he had lost his soul. 

In repentance, Guy embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome and Jerusalem, spending seven years visiting holy sites and deepening his faith. If he did in fact ever lose his soul, not only gained it back but entered into deeper communion with Jesus than he ever had been. He died a saint.

You can lose your soul. This reality should terrify us, and we should welcome the terror, because it exists to protect us from experiencing what the terror represents. 

Knowing when to be afraid is common sense; knowing what to be afraid of is wisdom. We should be more afraid of losing our souls that falling of a ten-thousand-foot cliff. And the truth is, metaphorically, spiritually, we live our lives tippy toeing along the very edge of a ten-thousand-foot cliff.

Every decision matters. In a culture that is constantly attempting to deny and diminish personal responsibility, the Gospel reminds us time and time again, that personal responsibility is central to the human experience. 

Life should be lived carefully, not recklessly. People are fragile and wounded, be gentle and thoughtful. To live life to the fullest is to live life thoughtfully.



Feast Day: September 12 (Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Patron Saint of: Bachelors, Epilepsy, Protection Of Outbuildings, Stables, and Sheds; Against Mad Dogs and Rabies

Also Known As: The Poor Man of Anderlecht and Saint Guido

Symbols: An Ox