Family Formation

Make no mistake – hell is real, and some people really will choose to spend eternity there. The key word here, however, is “choose.” It is God’s intention and plan for everyone to live with Him forever in heaven. Some people, however, will freely choose to persist in mortal sin and will not accept God’s merciful love. They have made the choice to separate themselves from God forever.

We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love him. But we cannot love God if we sin gravely against him, against our neighbor or against ourselves: “He who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” Our Lord warns us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren. To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called “hell.”  CCC 1033

This week’s lesson continues the story of the Marcus family, but this time with more discussion on our final choices: heaven or hell, and purgatory.

“If we have said yes to Jesus Christ during our life and have had faith in Him and have done what He wants us to do, we will obtain everlasting life with Him. We cannot imagine the wonderful things that God has in store for us.”  – Mr. Marcus

The focus of the story is on heaven and God’s awesome plan to get us there, and that’s exactly where we want to keep it!
Heaven is the place where we will receive the reward we’ve earned (big or small) for all the ways we’ve shown love during our time on earth. In heaven we’ll be reunited with everyone else who has gone there before us, we’ll meet our patron saints and guardian angels and, most important, we will finally get to see God face to face.

At some point, you’ll definitely want to make sure your kids have a good understanding of the reality of hell, but only after they know with absolute certainty that God has created each of us for heaven and He offers everything we need to get there.

For the next two weeks we’re talking about the life we’ll live some day when we’re done on earth.  In my opinion, it’s very helpful to get a big-picture-overview, as in this lesson, but perhaps more valuable would be just making life in heaven (and hell and purgatory) a part of your everyday vocabulary.  There are many references in the Catechism and Scripture about the wonders of heaven:

Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.

Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, it has not even entered the human heard what God has prepared for those who love Him!   -1 Corinthians 2:9

That’s something worth talking about!  No matter how great our best day is on earth, eternity in heaven is a bajillion* times better!

[Excited exclamation]  “This is the Best Day EVER!”

[Confident reply] “I know!  It’s hard to imagine that heaven is going to be lots and lots better, but Jesus promises it will be!”

[Loving declaration] “I love you more than anything, Mommy!”

[Teachable Moment Mommy]  “I love you too and it’s going to be even more perfect when we’re in heaven together someday!”

[Sad-faced child] “It’s not fair!  The other kids wouldn’t share with me.

[Wise Daddy] “I’m sorry to hear that.  Some day in heaven everything will be perfect.  Until then, let’s see what we can do to make this better.

I’m not saying you should dismiss every little joy and sorrow while here on earth, but since we were created for eternal communion with God and heaven is our ultimate goal, it’s good to keep our eyes on the prize and heaven should become as real to you as what is happening here and now.

*Hey, it’s a real word!  I read it on the internet.  😉