How exactly is a soul lost?

If a soul is lost, can it be recovered?

We have talked about a soul being “lost” in the sense of losing one’s sense of direction, or losing track of where we should be on a given path.  There are those other senses of “lost” which we must not fail to discuss, such as no longer being able to have or keep something; also, giving up by acknowledging defeat.

These two senses do apply to the idea of a soul being lost.  It is possible to give such little regard to the God-endowed value of our soul that we are not fit guardians of that which God has entrusted to us.  It is just as possible to approach life as a game or a gamble, and if we fail to invest our strategy wisely, we will be overpowered by the forces that act in opposition to God.

This is the first time we have looked squarely at the idea there might be forces actively, deliberately opposing God.  Our Baltimore Catechism has not yet gotten into the particulars of demons, temptation and sentient sabotage.  We are a little ahead of ourselves, perhaps, but no less needing these questions answered, if we are to be looking at good soul care.  Are there such things as demons?  Is the Satan story real, or just a parable representing our free will?

Question 38 of the Baltimore Catechism explains that Satan and the fallen angels are real, as do many other sources within the Catholic and other Christian traditions.  Rebel spirits go by several different names.  Fallen angels, demons and false gods are some of the most common.  In the interest of keeping things simple, it is accurate to say that these rebel spirits are an unseen force actively working against God.  Demons cannot steal or destroy souls, but they can contribute confusion, division, frustration and temptation to our everyday lives in their ongoing aggression toward God.

Can a soul be “lost” as in no longer being able to have something?  Or “lost” as in a battle?

In either case, yes – if we actively, knowingly choose to decline or resist God up until the last moment of our earthly life.

God does not destroy what He creates and endows with value.  God does not reject us.  He does not even reject us when we waver or question.  He does not even penalize us for acting in ignorance (for reference, see Luke 23:34).  The only way our soul can be forfeited is if we, as its custodians, review the options and decisively reject God – whether as a solitary act or in a spirit of solidarity with the fallen angels.  Yes… some people do choose to distrust, divide, rebel and oppose, usually for the chance to exercise maximum control.  In seizing that choice, our soul is lost from our care – and forfeits eternity with God.

In sum: A soul cannot be lost if it chooses at any point to seek God, even if this is at the very last moment of earthly life.

A soul can only be lost if it chooses to reject God, definitively, in its last moment.

A soul who is lost at the end of its earthly life cannot be recovered.

Where is our hope, then?

Earthly life.

Seeking God.

Learning to trust.