Daily Life Meditation: Do Not Be Afraid of Those who Kill the Body

Flávia Ghelardi shares a guided meditation on the only thing we should really fear: the one who can lead us to hell, which is the only true evil.

Today we continue our practical exercise on meditation, inspired by the method taught by Father Joseph Kentenich. We are using a biblical text because the Word of God is addressed to each of us individually, and it is the Holy Spirit who helps it reach our hearts as a message from the Father.

Meditation is a personal encounter with God, to grow in love for Him. Because it is personal, each person will experience this encounter in a different way, in a unique way. Thus, each proposed exercise is intended only to present an example of what this conversation with the Father can be like, so that you can get an overview of the whole process.

Opening Prayer

We are in the place we have chosen to meditate, already prepared with some image that reminds us of the spiritual world, a lit candle, instrumental music, in short, whatever helps us most to concentrate on what we are about to do: have a personal encounter with God.

Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and place yourself in God's presence. Make the Sign of the Cross.

My holy guardian angel helps me to meditate well so that this moment of prayer may transform my hard, fickle, selfish, and negligent heart into a pure heart, capable of loving and serving God with joy and generosity.

Implore the help of the Holy Spirit:

Holy Spirit, you are the soul of my soul. I humbly adore you. Enlighten me, strengthen me, guide me, comfort me. Reveal your wishes to me as far as this is in accordance with the will of the Eternal Father. Show me what Eternal Love wants of me. Show me what I should do. Show me what I should suffer. Show me what I should humbly and thoughtfully accept, bear and endure. Holy Spirit, show me your will and the will of the Father, for I want my whole life to be nothing else than a continuous, an everlasting yes to the wishes, to the will of God, the Eternal Father. (Fr. Joseph Kentenich, HW 639)

Meditation Topic:

“And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” (Matthew 10:28)

What Does God Want to Tell Me?

What is the Father trying to tell us when He asks us to be concerned about those who can lead our souls to hell?

Throughout the Bible, and especially in the Gospels, we can see the Lord telling us many times not to be afraid, asking us to trust in His loving providence. However, in this verse, there is a warning about who we should really fear: the one who can lead us to hell, which is the only true evil.

Illness, persecution, financial problems — all these evils pass and can be used by God for a greater good, for our salvation. We should not fear these evils, even if they can lead to the death of our body. We will all die one day and give an account of our lives to the Just Judge.

The true and only evil is the eternal perdition of our soul in hell, the separation from God and His infinite love forever. This is the only fear we need to have in our lives. Not a fear that paralyzes us, but a fear that alerts us to avoid occasions of sin, especially mortal sin. It is mortal sin that places our soul in a state of enmity with God. To die in this state means the condemnation of our soul, by our own choice, to spend eternity far from Heaven.

It is important to remember what characterizes a mortal sin: the matter must be serious (that is, specified by the Ten Commandments); we must have full knowledge of the gravity of the sin; and we must freely choose sin and the pleasure it will bring us. So, if we have committed a serious sin, it is very important to seek the Sacrament of Confession as soon as possible, because we do not know when God may call us to eternity.

What Do I Say to Myself Based on This Reality?

Maybe I need to lose my fear of losing the things I have achieved, the people I love. It is difficult to trust in divine providence, to know that everything works together for the good of those who love God. I still have an unhealthy attachment to the things of this world.

I am also afraid of losing prestige and honor, of being criticized and cast aside by people. Sometimes I remain silent when I should speak up and express my opinion in defense of my faith, of what I believe, of the Truth. This fear of what people will think often paralyzes me.

It is difficult to avoid certain environments that can lead me to sin. Often, access to sin is in the palm of my hand, on my cell phone. I see and hear things that do not edify my soul; on the contrary, they awaken negative instincts and feelings that can lead me to sin.

How Do I Answer the Lord?

O my Jesus, how I need Your help to flee from sin and embrace my cross. I want to be a person who trusts blindly in divine providence, in the infinite love and care of the Father for my life, but it is so difficult! How many times I have exchanged Heaven for fleeting pleasures. I want to learn to free myself from everything that can lead me to offend You and seek to do only what pleases You, what brings You joy.

Conclude this moment of prayer by writing down the inspirations you have received in your personal notebook. Give a brief thanksgiving for having been able to spend a few minutes talking with the Father. Make a resolution to meditate again the next day and ask your holy guardian angel to remind you throughout the day of these brief moments you have spent with God.

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Copyright 2026 Flávia Ghelardi
Images: Canva