Im Catholic and havent been to church in over a month. I think im losing myself?

Question

Earlier in the year I thought I had truly found God. I went to this youth group a few times. Went to church BY MYSELF..catholic mass.

Last year I was completely hostile with myself and depressed. I was not functioning properly. Fortunately, I have pretty much made peace When this whole revelation took place, I was all about getting to know God more and more. I flet like he helped me get through the last 2 years, because I was always so upset and lonely. However, lately, for the first time Im getting told that I look pretty and happy and skinny, and for the first time I am out having fun at parties. It is my senior year, and all I can think about is having fun.

I feel so selfish, and guilty. I feel like I have betrayed him.In a way, he is on the back shelf of my mind.

I am sad. I just cant get into the whole "pray convos" that i used to always have with him. I just feel like I am taking it all for granted. Please INSPIRE ME

Answer 1

I do understand what you're going through.

It is my opinion that a big part of your problem is that you are looking for external inspiration as a motivation to go to Church.

Worship has to be a decision to commit to the Church. It is not a feeling, even though sometimes nice warm 'n' fuzzy feelings arise from worship.

If you can't motivate yourself to go to Church with the knowledge of who God is and all He has given you, then talk to a priest or somebody else you trust and ask for guidance.

You'll be in my prayers. Peace to you.

Answer 2

There are times, during everyone's spiritual journey, in which God seems very close to us. There are also times when He seems very far away. Why? I don't know. Perhaps it's God's way of keeping us on our toes.

Clearly God has helped you weather whatever storm you've been dealing with the past two years. You shouldn't feel guilty about things being better now.

The only thing to watch out for is the possibility you might forget who (God) it was that helped you get where you are today. Don't do that.

It's not a sin to enjoy life. It's not a sin to accept compliments on looking pretty, happy, and thin. These are all good things. Partying, provided substances are not consumed in excess, is not a bad thing either. We are social beings and should enjoy the company of other people in a variety of settings.

If you have put God on the mental back-burner, just move Him to the front again. You can have God in the forefront of you mind and enjoy your senior year at the same time. In fact, I will bet that you will enjoy your senior year all the more by making God a part of it in some way.

Praying needs to be a part of everyday life. Concentrate on praying more. This prayer does not have to take the form of praying in the conventional sense. You can pray merely by reading the Bible, the Catechism, or any book that teaches you about Catholic Truth.

You can pray the Rosary and/or a Novena.

When anything in our lives seems "always there", we tend to take these things for granted before long. LIke I said before, God will make Himself seem far away (even though He is really as close as ever) as a means of "keeping us on our toes".

Living a life in the Faith is not easy. Don't give up.

Answer 3

It cant be that far back on the shelf if it is bothering you. Its just the Holy Spirit showing you where your priorities should be. There is nothing wrong with having fun. But what kind of fun are you having? Is it the wrong kind of fun that you know that you shouldn't be having? Read about the prodigal son. You can come back. Its just that the further you fall away, the harder it is to want to come back totally. Please dont forget that we are to travel on a narrow path. Some people look at that as being unfair and hard. But actually it is for our benefit and the benefit of others. All of the fun that you want to have in the world will eventually destroy you and keep you from growing with God. You know it and every other christian knows it. You just need to experience the joy of the Lord again. Dont forget that He loves you no matter what. Remember this. As you walk away from Jesus, His hand is still stretch out towards you. You can walk far away and look back and His hand will still be stretch out. Question: Will there be tears in His eyes as you walk farther away. When you come back, each step that you take towards Him, He will take a step towards you. My advise, Run back.

Proverbs 24:16
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Answer 4

I think you have a bit of an identity crisis. When you were down a last year, you felt that you were very much in touch with your emotions. Now you have a busy social life and when you are alone you don't feel the same mystical feeling that you had when you were really down, and instead feel insecure by the quiet that you're not used to anymore. At least, that's how I see it. The solution would be to more "be yourself" at parties, to not have to be happy there all the time when you're actualy not. And realise that being depressed can be comforting and feeling good can lead to fear of when the feeling good ends.

Answer 5

You can be pretty and happy and skinny- and go to parties- and not give up your relationship with God.

Sounds like you feel guilty for having fun...the guilt you feel is God missing you, not about having fun.

Faithful Catholics are the HAPPIEST people I know! They know how to have fun without going too far and still keep the communication lines to the Lord open.

Sounds like you need a retreat! Check with your parish or Diocesan Youth Council. Most have teen-centered retreats available.

At this time in your life, you need to draw closer to the Lord- not move away from Him!

Answer 6

You feel "selfish" and "guilty" that you are actually gleaning a little enjoyment out of life?

WHOA! HOLD THE PHONE.

Happiness is fleeting - as long as you're not shooting up heroin in an abandoned house while being gang-banged by three black guys, then ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS.

You could die in a car accident or something in, like, three months, so live every day as if it could be your last. I'm not saying, "Go out and do some harmful, crazy stuff" but I'm just saying that, "Life is short and this is the only existence we'll ever get, so take advantage of the good times."

You're way young, and every minute that passes is another minute you won't get back. Good luck.

Answer 7

I'm a Catholic, and always feel guilty that I don't go to Mass. I go very rarely. But I think that if you truly believe in Christ and try to live your life as He taught, you are not a bad person for not going to Mass. We are encouraged as Catholics to be a part of the community and take Communion, but I don't think that you are betraying the Lord by taking some time for yourself. As long as you don't forget Him and don't turn away from living your life as a Christian, you are not betraying Him. Jesus is present in our lives, whether or not we attend Mass. Keep Him in your heart as you take this time for yourself and you will know when the time is right to spend more time in devotion.

Answer 8

First, God's peace and blessing be with you. There's nothing wrong with enjoying yourself. In fact, God WANTS you to be happy and feel good about yourself. He WANTS you to be pretty and enjoy life. Nothing wrong with that. What you should do is thank Him. He was there for you when times for down, now stay with Him even more when times are up. Celebrate with Him!

Like everything else, we have to make sure that nothing is put before God. He is our all and everything and should be always. Take this time to really thank Him and enjoy your successes with Him. He loves you and whats to continue being with you, so have fun!

God bless.

Answer 9

i like what Willnott said above. but if u feel like u should, slowly go back to ur original ways. take ur time. u dont wanna suddenly jump back because u feel like u have to.

start by:
1) returning to church. its only once a week. just go next week.
2) if u dont feel like u can do the pray convos, just thank him for what u have to be grateful for (a sunny day, friends, family, a good time,) and ask him for help if u need it to become closer to him again
3) try to read the bible every night. it doesnt have to be a lot maybe just 10 minutes or so. u learn, u become closer with god, and reading before u go to bed helps u fall asleep faster anyways :)
4) if u feel like u should do more, offer to join something in ur church. the choir maybe? volunteer? i play the violin and tho i'm originally Catholic i'm going to my friends Baptist church to play the violin for their performance. these are just some ideas

its good to keep God close in our hearts. he keeps us happy and whole.

good luck to u!

Answer 10

Catholicism is based on guilt (and fear). You used to feel good because you needed something to fill the vacuum in your life, and religion answered that need. Today, you're not so needful and probably feel bad about abandoning that thing that saw you through difficult times. My advice, if asked for, would be to relax and enjoy life. Religion is a crutch which you obviously don't need at this time.