Please help me!

[DrewC]

I made a big mistake yesterday, I stayed the night with a friend and I thought he had quit smoking pot but that night I found out he hadnt and stayed anyway. I hadnt smoked it in almost 2 years and was debating all night as to weather or not I would smoke it in the morning. I got on the Internet, searching scriptures to see if it was a sin, I also searched here and found a debate about it. I found a website with verses from Genesis saying that God made all herbs (including hemp) for all mankind to use. So I ignored my conciense and that next morning I smoked it.

I feel so bad for it, especially after telling God all this time I would never smoke it agian unless it was for medical reasons. I feel I have sinned very gravely agianst God and that Im going to hell. I said my act of contriticion and told God I would not hang around this person anymore.

I am currently not in the Catholic Church right now, Im debating on weather or not to go back or not but right now Im not in the Church. Can someone please tell me that God has forgiven my sin to help reassure me? I will never do this agian, I will never hang out with this person agian unless he changes his life around.

All parents reading this, please tell your kids they may think theyre not going to do what their friends are doing but when temptation arises, its hard not to when the devil is throwing it in your face. Please dont let them hang out with bad influences, I have certainly learned my lesson.

Please pray for me brothers and sisters!

 

[MarieVeronica]

Dear Drew, my heart goes out to you. I returned to the practice of the Catholic faith, about 2-3 years ago. I can’t believe, that I stayed away for so long. And I haven’t been sorry for even one moment, that I’ve returned. And I think that Jesus is waiting for your return, with open arms.

I don’t know if you get satellite television or not… but there is a Catholic station on satellite… (EWTN) and through watching the programs and listening to the teachings of Mother Angelica, and the good priests, religious and lay people of EWTN… I have learned many things.

One of Mother Angelica’s best sayings is this… “It’s a kind of insult to God, when we think that our sins… are greater than His mercy”. Now, this isn’t to say that you have insulted God; It’s only to say… that His mercy is endless. His mercy, and His love for us… is greater than our flaws. He loves you. He loves me. He loves us all… and He will forgive us, our sins… if we’re sorry and then… try not to make the same mistakes.

Another thing I have learned… is that we are all called to be saints. And a saint… simply put, is a person who keeps trying to do Our Lords Holy Will (even after we make mistakes). Are we going to fall down and sin… along the way? Probably many times, yes.

But keep getting up… saying “I’m sorry, Lord; I’ll try to do better”. And then… DO better. Sincerely try… not to commit the same mistakes and sins again. Prayer helps tremendously in this area.

You might find it very helpful to form the habit of praying the Rosary and/or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. I wish I could express all the graces I’ve received through these two prayers. Our Lord has been so merciful to everyone, who practices these devotions.

May God bless you and give you peace… and know, with absolute certainty… that Our Lord loves you!

 

[teachccd]

I made a big mistake yesterday, I stayed the night with a friend and I thought he had quit smoking pot but that night I found out he hadnt and stayed anyway. I hadnt smoked it in almost 2 years and was debating all night as to weather or not I would smoke it in the morning. I got on the Internet, searching scriptures to see if it was a sin, I also searched here and found a debate about it. I found a website with verses from Genesis saying that God made all herbs (including hemp) for all mankind to use. So I ignored my conciense and that next morning I smoked it.

I feel so bad for it, especially after telling God all this time I would never smoke it agian unless it was for medical reasons. I feel I have sinned very gravely agianst God and that Im going to hell. I said my act of contriticion and told God I would not hang around this person anymore.

I am currently not in the Catholic Church right now, Im debating on weather or not to go back or not but right now Im not in the Church. Can someone please tell me that God has forgiven my sin to help reassure me? I will never do this agian, I will never hang out with this person agian unless he changes his life around.

All parents reading this, please tell your kids they may think theyre not going to do what their friends are doing but when temptation arises, its hard not to when the devil is throwing it in your face. Please dont let them hang out with bad influences, I have certainly learned my lesson.

Please pray for me brothers and sisters!

Drew, first things first. You were tempted and you failed. That is an everyday occurrence for all people. We call that sin. God the Father knows that we do this so He sent His Son to die for us so that we could be reconciled back to Him.

Now you say that you are not in the Catholic Church. That requires pastoral care and is a whole issue in itself. That is not relevant to whether or not what you did offended God. You tried to rationalize your actions by going to Scripture to find a loophole. Many have done that and that is precisely why Jesus left us a Church instead of just Scripture. The Church guides us in the same way that She is guided when She acknowledged which Scriptures belonged in the New Testament. So we must rely on the moral standards of His Church in order to understand our transgressions against Him.

So you went against your conscience, which was steering you right, and you messed up. God will forgive you. No doubt about that. I feel, and this is just a hunch, that you are on a Catholic message board because your conscience might be telling you something else, also. Go and see a priest and if at all possible go to confession. Your title is “Please help me”. Your cry is heard but it goes much deeper than one sin, one night.

I will pray that you seek the guidance of the Catholic Church and that God will grant you peace…God Bless…teachccd

 

[po18guy]

I made a big mistake yesterday, I stayed the night with a friend and I thought he had quit smoking pot but that night I found out he hadnt and stayed anyway. I hadnt smoked it in almost 2 years and was debating all night as to weather or not I would smoke it in the morning. I got on the Internet, searching scriptures to see if it was a sin, I also searched here and found a debate about it. I found a website with verses from Genesis saying that God made all herbs (including hemp) for all mankind to use. So I ignored my conciense and that next morning I smoked it.

I am currently not in the Catholic Church right now, Im debating on weather or not to go back or not but right now Im not in the Church. Can someone please tell me that God has forgiven my sin to help reassure me? I will never do this agian, I will never hang out with this person agian unless he changes his life around.

Please pray for me brothers and sisters!

DrewC, before engaging in any activity, ask yourself why your are going to engage in it. Your body has no need of THC, and you do not suffer in the least if you never have it in your bloodstream. This eliminates any physiological desire or need.

In a roundabout way, let’s examine another substance that is widely abused: alcohol. Thousands of years ago, heck, even hundreds of years ago, drinking water was generally scarce. Since the human body has need of water and will, in fact, perish without it, water is a necessity. However, it was discovered that water could be preserved, carried and stored, if it was combined with a sugar-containing substance and was allowed to ferment. Thus, we have wine and other alcoholic drink. This was a very practical solution to an ancient problem.

Alcoholic drinks filled a practical need, but scripture warns in many places against overuse. Christ Himself warned against drunkenness, since that was actually a form of gluttony - sinful over-consumption of a substance that was viewed as a necessity. Indeed, intoxication (root word: toxic) lead to many other sins, as it weakened the will and suppressed the conscience.

Consider that the use of marijuana, as well as over-consumption of alcohol point to an attempt to fill a spiritual void. Since neither alcohol nor marijuana are needed by the body (although both have certain elements that may be beneficial), one must look to the desire to use either. An altered state of consciousness is obtained through the use of both substances.

What is your purpose in seeking this altered state of consciousness? If there is a spiritual void which needs to be filled, or which you desire to fill, is there not a better way to go? God knows all of our needs and provides for them. Trouble arises when we fail to realize that God is all that our spirit needs, since He alone is the source and provider of our spirit. To obtain inner peace or contentment, no physical thing created by God is needed. To rely or depend upon such, or to desire such is likely sinful by its very nature.

The Lord will look at what you were trying to accomplish in the use of a substance and will ask: “Wasn’t I enough?” Truth is, of course, that God is enough, as He is everything in all, for all time.

We live in the kingdom of the evil one. Satan knows your temptations and desires. Notice that the temptation to marijuana is exactly what he placed before you? He will not send heroin or methamphetamine users to you, because he knows that is not your temptation. Satan will do whatever it takes to lead you away from God.

You sought help at Catholic Answers, right? Since you are here for a reason, and are also away from God, the only way to avoid further destruction of inner peace is to return to Him. It is a very simple, but humbling experience. Seek out a priest, examine your conscience, and make the best confession that you can. The weight of sin being lifted from you will be a freeing, exhilarating experience. Make Christ a priority in your life and you will be blessed.

Christ’s peace be with you.

 

[kage_ar]

Agree with the others - get to Confession. God loves you and the Sacrament is waiting for you. Tomorrow is Saturday, almost every Parish has Saturday afternoon Confession - this web site will help you find a Parish:

www.masstimes.org

 

[DrewC]

I thank you all for your responses. It was a dumb decision I made and will never let that happen agian. I came here because I used to be Catholic and know there are many people here who are full of wisdom.

As for confession, I have confessed my sins to God and feel better now. Im not quite sure if Im going to go back to the Catholic Church or not. The reason I left was because I wanted to be a pastor and be married too but I have since had a desire to join the military and will probably do that instead.

I feel Gods presence in my life still and still do pray to the Virgin Mother and I believe in Purgatory and most of what the Catholic Church teaches, I just think the Church is too structured for me and by that I dont mean rules or anything I mean why cant the Priest pick out what scriptures they want to read instead of having to have it picked for them by some litirgist from Rome.

However I will say I that the attacks from the evil one have increased since I left. Not real sure why thats going on but I must continue to resist him and he will flee!
God love and bless all of you!

 

[MarieVeronica]

Hi Drew. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Something you said, sort of reminded me of one of my sisters. You said “I used to be Catholic”. She is currently “away” from the Church… and has made similar comments.

I just wanted to say, that despite the fact that you are presently not a practicing Catholic… you are still, nevertheless… a Catholic.

When we are Baptized… Our Lord sets His seal on our souls, and it is irreversable. In other words… once a Catholic, always a Catholic. Sadly, many people away from the Church… don’t seem to be aware of this fact. And they lose hope.

But God truly does work miracles. My own experience (through the grace of God) was that I somehow, instinctively knew this… before discovering it to be a truth. Before my own return to the Church. I remember saying to my family, many times… in the course of my absence… “I was born a Catholic (meaning I was baptized as an infant) and I will DIE a Catholic”.

God bless you, Drew. Please go to Reconciliation (I was amazed at how easy it was… even after 10 years. I would say to anyone who would listen… Do not be afraid!)… AND then begin receiving Holy Communion at Mass. You will be amazed at the changes God brings about in your life.:extrahappy:

 

[briang72]

I thank you all for your responses. It was a dumb decision I made and will never let that happen agian. I came here because I used to be Catholic and know there are many people here who are full of wisdom.

Drew, unless you renounced your faith formally, you are still a Catholic. Please embrace it and go to confession.

As for confession, I have confessed my sins to God and feel better now. Im not quite sure if Im going to go back to the Catholic Church or not. The reason I left was because I wanted to be a pastor and be married too but I have since had a desire to join the military and will probably do that instead.

God wants you back home, Drew. You can still join the military, but come home to the Church.

I feel Gods presence in my life still and still do pray to the Virgin Mother and I believe in Purgatory and most of what the Catholic Church teaches, I just think the Church is too structured for me and by that I dont mean rules or anything I mean why cant the Priest pick out what scriptures they want to read instead of having to have it picked for them by some litirgist from Rome.

Okay, you believe most of what the Church teaches. What is it that you don’t believe that keeps you away?

How can a Church be Catholic (universal) if each priest can choose his own scripture each Mass? Personally (and I think I speak for the majority of Catholics here) I like knowing that if I cannot make it to my regular parish on a Sunday, that the one I can make it to is talking about the same scripture as my regular parish.

However I will say I that the attacks from the evil one have increased since I left. Not real sure why thats going on but I must continue to resist him and he will flee!
God love and bless all of you!

The evil one appears to be winning a battle for your soul right now. He is on his way to convincing you that you don’t need the Church to fight his attacks. You say you promised God that you wouldn’t smoke pot, then you fell to the weakness anyway. With regular confession, you’ll most likely find yourself able to resist such temptation in the future.

Please give your return to the Church more thought and prayer, Drew.

God Bless You.

 

[rwoehmke]

I feel Gods presence in my life still and still do pray to the Virgin Mother and I believe in Purgatory and most of what the Catholic Church teaches, I just think the Church is too structured for me and by that I dont mean rules or anything I mean why cant the Priest pick out what scriptures they want to read instead of having to have it picked for them by some litirgist from Rome.

In many non-Catholic Churches that is just the way it is. The minister gets to preach on whatever Scripture meets his fancy. It can be a problem in that each congregation than depends on the ministers choice for lesson of the week and rarely is any congregation on the same page. It leads to some real out of balance knowledge of God’s word. Some of the mainline non-Catholic Churches have realized this and are basically using the same three year cycle put together by “the Liturgists in Rome.” So what you desire ain’t so great in the long run.

Have never smoked pot myself, but have had some close acquaintances who did so on a regular basis. One joint or two every once and a great while doesn’t really seem to create a problem, although like a drunk you may make a d*** fool of yourself in front of others. Chronic regular use however, in my limited observation, tends to lead to a psychological state where the user doesn’t really give a tinker’s d*** about anything but the next smoke, In short it kills initiative and ambition among other good human traits.

 

[Mintaka]

If you’re serious about joining the military, you’d better be serious about staying off the drugs. They’ll throw the book at you.

 

[PaulinVA]

I feel Gods presence in my life still and still do pray to the Virgin Mother and I believe in Purgatory and most of what the Catholic Church teaches, I just think the Church is too structured for me and by that I dont mean rules or anything I mean why cant the Priest pick out what scriptures they want to read instead of having to have it picked for them by some litirgist from Rome.

Drew, there is no “harm” in making an appointment for confession (since you might have questions to talk about and need more than the few minutes you’d get at the regular confession hours). It doesn’t mean you’ve made a life changing decision. It means you’re going to talk to a priest about things.

Our scripture cycle is pretty neat - you’ll hear the entire bible in three years. There are three cycle years , A, B, And C. It’s structured, you are right. Every Catholic in the world basically hears the same readings on a Sunday (as well as others who use the common lectionary). However, in his homily, the priest can talk about anything he wishes, and can bring in any scripture he needs to. There’s a lot of freedom within structure, if that makes any sense.

 

[LSK]

I made a big mistake yesterday, I stayed the night with a friend and I thought he had quit smoking pot but that night I found out he hadnt and stayed anyway. I hadnt smoked it in almost 2 years and was debating all night as to weather or not I would smoke it in the morning. I got on the Internet, searching scriptures to see if it was a sin, I also searched here and found a debate about it. I found a website with verses from Genesis saying that God made all herbs (including hemp) for all mankind to use. So I ignored my conciense and that next morning I smoked it.

I feel so bad for it, especially after telling God all this time I would never smoke it agian unless it was for medical reasons. I feel I have sinned very gravely agianst God and that Im going to hell. I said my act of contriticion and told God I would not hang around this person anymore.

I am currently not in the Catholic Church right now, Im debating on weather or not to go back or not but right now Im not in the Church. Can someone please tell me that God has forgiven my sin to help reassure me? I will never do this agian, I will never hang out with this person agian unless he changes his life around.

All parents reading this, please tell your kids they may think theyre not going to do what their friends are doing but when temptation arises, its hard not to when the devil is throwing it in your face. Please dont let them hang out with bad influences, I have certainly learned my lesson.

Please pray for me brothers and sisters!

You are in my prayers - and you give an excellent example of why the Sacrament of Reconciliation is so important. The sanctifying grace one receives from the Sacrament can do much to strengthen our resolve on many issues of sin.

Go to a priest and make your confession. Begin to receive the Eucharist. Your entire life will change.

 

[Newbie2]

The reason I left was because I wanted to be a pastor and be married too but I have since had a desire to join the military and will probably do that instead.

I feel Gods presence in my life still and still do pray to the Virgin Mother and I believe in Purgatory and most of what the Catholic Church teaches, I just think the Church is too structured for me and by that I dont mean rules or anything I mean why cant the Priest pick out what scriptures they want to read instead of having to have it picked for them by some litirgist from Rome.

Don’t forget about the Deaconate.

Perhaps you need to find answers to your questions to make you more comfortable with what the Church believes and teaches?

One, but not the single reason for a structured liturgy is the idea of unity. If every priest just preached on what they’d like…well…that’s why there are thousands of different Protestant churches springing up every year…many with very questionable interpretations and preachings on scripture.

I’m guessing, of course, but methinks you would benefit from some informal or formal Catechism. Is there an RCIA class near you that you can attend and get some answers? How about a priest, deacan or theologically qualified lay person that you can talk to?

God bless you.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Drew would you want your doctor to take a hit before operating on you? If you are born agian of the Holy Spirit, then you are a King’s kid. As such, you need new friends. Smoking pot is for the purpose of getting a buzz, high that is basically in prinicple the same thing as “strong drink”. The key to the wine passages is not to get high, a buzz, drunk.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Judges 13:4
Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:

Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 31:4
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Proverbs 31:6
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 10:23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Which is correct: Calamus or Cannabis?

One of the favorite attacks which Bible-corrupters like to hurl at King James totin’ believers is that the King James mistranslates the word “calamus” in Exodus 30:23. **According to Nave’s Bible Dictionary, calamus is "A sweet cane of Palestine - Song of Solomon 4:14; Ezekiel 27:19; “An ingredient of the holy ointment - Exodus 30:23; Isaiah 43:24.” ** The 48 King James translators were educated men and knew what they were doing. They were extremely proficient in the Hebrew and Greek Languages. The calamus was mixed with cinnamon and myrrh to form an oil for anointing purposes. It is ridiculous to twist the Word of God in order to justify smoking pot!

jesus-is-savior.com/Bible/calamus.htm

alcoholicsforchrist.com/sa.htm

 

[CB_Catholic]

Nobody has addressed the fact that marijuana is illegal in this country, and we are bound to obey the civil law, unless the law is grossly unjust or goes against Church teaching. So breaking the law is a sin in itself. Remembering that should help as a deterrent to using Pot, if one is serious about avoiding sin.