Am I Going to Hell?

[JamesR]

I feel really guilty today. For the first week of Lent my Priest instructed me to attend at least one of the Lenton services in between the week and I missed those because I was too lazy to ask my parents for a ride. Then, for the Liturgy this morning, I did not attend because I was too lazy and tired since I was out till 11 with my friends on Saturday night. When my alarm went off, I asked the Theotokos for energy, but then I still caved into my feelings and told me dad he did not need to drive me and I went back to sleep. I missed an entire week of Church while I'm a catechumen, and I feel really guilty inside for some reason, like, I can't even eat guilty because of my stomach.

[mabsoota]

that's the usual 'oh no, i have sinned' feeling.
u won't go to hell, u just need to talk about it with someone who is spiritually mature (eg. yr priest) so they can give u personal advice on how to resist sin and temptation.
repent before God and ask Him for help and remember He forgives u because He is merciful, not because you / we deserve it.
because of Jesus' death and resurrection, u can get back to a good relationship with God when u repent of sin.

pray the Lord's pray (our Father) and may God give u peace.

[William]

I missed an entire week of Church while I'm a catechumen, and I feel really guilty inside for some reason, like, I can't even eat guilty because of my stomach.

That guilt is a good sign. It means you'll change and repent when given an opportunity.

[Melodist]

I used to work with this one guy. One night he was walking from one area to another and someone asked him where he was going. His response was "Hell if I don't change my ways".

Just look at it as an opportunity for repentence. Lent (actually all the time but especially lent) is supposed to be a time to re-evaluate where we are spiritually to find where we need to repent. Think of it like maintenence on a car, you have your regular daily maintenence on your vehicle (air pressure in tires, fluid levels, oil change, etc) which is like our constant self examination, and then every so often you need to take it in for a tune up to have everything changed out which is what we do to ourselves during lent and the other major fasting seasons. Trust me, it's not the end of the world to have a bad start to lent, or at least I hope not.

[Paisius]

I feel really guilty today. For the first week of Lent my Priest instructed me to attend at least one of the Lenton services in between the week and I missed those because I was too lazy to ask my parents for a ride. Then, for the Liturgy this morning, I did not attend because I was too lazy and tired since I was out till 11 with my friends on Saturday night. When my alarm went off, I asked the Theotokos for energy, but then I still caved into my feelings and told me dad he did not need to drive me and I went back to sleep. I missed an entire week of Church while I'm a catechumen, and I feel really guilty inside for some reason, like, I can't even eat guilty because of my stomach.

Well if that's the worst thing you ever do you'll be in pretty good shape. 


In all seriousness, it's never too late to begin the fast in earnest. You're certainly not going to hell because you slept in. God is not sitting up in heaven cataloging every tiny little thing we do wrong. It's the springtime of repentance! Lent is a wonderful opportunity for you to stretch yourself and grow more in love and communion with God. In fact if you don't fail from time to time you're probably not doing it right.

So, don't worry about what you did or did not do last week. Tomorrow is a new day. Get up and go to church next week, have confession, and when you fall again get up again. Give it your best effort and don't beat yourself up. And remember, Lent is a marathon not a sprint. Do all things in moderation.

[Punch]

Are you going to Hell?  Probably, just like the rest of us.  But if you do, it probably will not be for that.  It is really not what you did last week that matters.  It is what you do from now on.

[Ionnis]

"Concerning the sorrow which you have in your soul because of your sins, it is good and beneficial.  Only when it leads you to despair, then it is clearly demonic.  Immediately turn toward hope and say: 'Since I repent for everything, I hope that everything I have done is forgiven.  There is no sin which surpasses the compassion of God. However great the sins may be, when they come to repentance they are dissolved.  Oh, the depth of the humility, forbearance, and compassion of the Lord!'"

-Elder Ephraim of Philotheou, Counsels from the Holy Mountain

[Timon]

I wouldnt say youre going to hell.  Thats a bit much.  But I can sympathize with you as I was invited to attend the Sunday of Orthodoxy vespers today at a local parish near my home.  However, my Sunday afternoon nap got in the way.  My nap was pushed back do to an extra long work day today.  I know thats not a good enough excuse, but thats my point.  I should have went. 

[orthonorm]

I used to work with this one guy. One night he was walking from one area to another and someone asked him where he was going. His response was "Hell if I don't change my ways".

Just look at it as an opportunity for repentence. Lent (actually all the time but especially lent) is supposed to be a time to re-evaluate where we are spiritually to find where we need to repent. Think of it like maintenence on a car, you have your regular daily maintenence on your vehicle (air pressure in tires, fluid levels, oil change, etc) which is like our constant self examination, and then every so often you need to take it in for a tune up to have everything changed out which is what we do to ourselves during lent and the other major fasting seasons. Trust me, it's not the end of the world to have a bad start to lent, or at least I hope not.

Wait, I have to add extra air to my tires and fluids to my car other than gasoline . . .

Great.

[orthonorm]

"Keep your mind in hell and despair not."

-St. Silouan

Now Fr. Thom says that Elder Sophrony comments on this for "our day" and says our minds are often in hell. What we really gotta work is despairing not.

Can anyone help me source that teaching by Elder Sophrony. Fr. Thom mentions not infrequently.

Thanks.

[Melodist]

Wait, I have to add extra air to my tires and fluids to my car other than gasoline . . .

Great.

Some cars require everything to be more closely watched than others.

[Cavaradossi]

I used to work with this one guy. One night he was walking from one area to another and someone asked him where he was going. His response was "Hell if I don't change my ways".

Just look at it as an opportunity for repentence. Lent (actually all the time but especially lent) is supposed to be a time to re-evaluate where we are spiritually to find where we need to repent. Think of it like maintenence on a car, you have your regular daily maintenence on your vehicle (air pressure in tires, fluid levels, oil change, etc) which is like our constant self examination, and then every so often you need to take it in for a tune up to have everything changed out which is what we do to ourselves during lent and the other major fasting seasons. Trust me, it's not the end of the world to have a bad start to lent, or at least I hope not.

Wait, I have to add extra air to my tires and fluids to my car other than gasoline . . .

Great.

This explains a lot.

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

Crucify your western guilt and bathe in the unfailing mercy of God.



Selam

[JamesRottnek]

I missed an entire week of Church while I'm a catechumen, and I feel really guilty inside for some reason, like, I can't even eat guilty because of my stomach.

That guilt is a good sign. It means you'll change and repent when given an opportunity.

Not necessarily.  It depends on whether or not he is simply feeling remorse or is truly repentant.  Remorse doesn't lead to change, it often just leads to a feeling of "Woe is me!" and falling into despair and even greater sin.

James, tell your priest how you're feeling.

[Sauron]

Are you going to Hell?  Probably, just like the rest of us.  But if you do, it probably will not be for that.  It is really not what you did last week that matters.  It is what you do from now on.

Oh my.

[JamesRottnek]

Are you going to Hell?  Probably, just like the rest of us.  But if you do, it probably will not be for that.  It is really not what you did last week that matters.  It is what you do from now on.

Oh my.

Well narrow is the gate that leads to salvation, and wide is the path to destruction.

[tweety234]

that's the usual 'oh no, i have sinned' feeling.
u won't go to hell, u just need to talk about it with someone who is spiritually mature (eg. yr priest) so they can give u personal advice on how to resist sin and temptation.
repent before God and ask Him for help and remember He forgives u because He is merciful, not because you / we deserve it.
because of Jesus' death and resurrection, u can get back to a good relationship with God when u repent of sin.

pray the Lord's pray (our Father) and may God give u peace.

lol!!!!!!!! are you one of those liberals?

I agree with your comment. Many people (including priests), willingly or not lead people to despair. Which isn't fair considering the fact that at the end of the day, God will decide not any human being. We aren't saved because we deserve it. We are saved because he is merciful, and because he deserves to have someone keep him company and call him "father" or "Buddy". Whatever.

[tweety234]

I feel really guilty today. For the first week of Lent my Priest instructed me to attend at least one of the Lenton services in between the week and I missed those because I was too lazy to ask my parents for a ride. Then, for the Liturgy this morning, I did not attend because I was too lazy and tired since I was out till 11 with my friends on Saturday night. When my alarm went off, I asked the Theotokos for energy, but then I still caved into my feelings and told me dad he did not need to drive me and I went back to sleep. I missed an entire week of Church while I'm a catechumen, and I feel really guilty inside for some reason, like, I can't even eat guilty because of my stomach.

Don't feel guilty. He knows whether or not you love him. Also he forgave his enemies those who crucified him. Yes he may judge your actions all the time. But he will take the condition of your whole being into account. Pray instead of feeling guilty.

[Eastern Mind]

Crucify your western guilt and bathe in the unfailing mercy of God.



Selam

Beautiful <3

[IoanC]

Never despair, or think that God wants you to go to Hell. God always loves us and wants us to be with Him.
Perhaps, it's a matter of organizing yourself, purifying and simplifying your life. Remove the things that take up energy, don't solve anything and lead you away from God, and this will give you more time and energy to do the important things. Keep it as simple as you can, even if you only do just one thing, as long as that thing is godly.

[GTAsoldier]

^ What Ioan and Gebre said above are true. You should take what they said into consideration.

Me personally, I have been struggling with guilt for a VERY LONG time and I'm trying my best to crucify it. I hope and pray that you can do the same.

God go with you James.

- Jade

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