Unfortunately concupiscence, the inclination or tendency to sin, was not the only consequence of original sin. It also brought death to our mortal bodies.
(Genesis 2:17)

Because of her Immaculate Conception, Mary was not only free from sin but also from death. At the end of her earthly life, being in union with God, she was taken, body and soul, into Heaven and crowned Queen. This event is called the Assumption of Mary.
(CCC 966)

Heaven is complete union with God. Perhaps you explain Heaven to your children as it was explained to you, as a wonderful place where we will be forever happy, a Disneyland in the sky? But it is so much more. We see God, as He is, face to face. It is the fulfillment of our deepest human longings, supreme happiness.
(CCC 1023-1025, 1 John 3:2, 1 Corinthians 13:12)

The opposite of Heaven is Hell. Some might say it does not exist, but it does. It is complete isolation from God, emptiness for our soul. For a soul to go to Hell, a person makes a willful decision to turn from a relationship with God and continue that decision to the end of their life.
(CCC 1035, Matthew 13:41-42 )

God wants us with Him; this is why Jesus redeemed us. He does not send us to Hell like a child sent to their room. It is a choice that we make. If we choose to follow God here on earth when we die we will live with Him in Heaven. If we choose not to follow God, He will honor our decision and we will spend eternity in Hell.

In the first lesson of this series, we heard about the Protoevangelium, the first promise of redemption. God promised Satan would be crushed by the woman and her offspring. The last book of the Bible, Revelation, tells of the completion of this promise. Mary, known also as the Heavenly Ark, gives birth so that a Son, Jesus, who conquers the “ancient serpent” with the “blood of the lamb.” We have salvation, access to Heaven in Jesus.
(Revelation 12:5-11)

Share a time when you experienced glimpses of what Heaven might be like?

Do you desire Heaven? Why do you truly desire it? What are you willing to do and what sacrifices on this earth are you willing to make to get there one day?

How is our eternal end our choice?