Saints LightIs Heaven Our Home?
Heaven is our true home, where we will be happy with God forever, and Jesus opened the way for us.
Have you ever been away on a long trip and felt so happy to finally get home? The Bible tells us that our true home is heaven. Jesus said that in His Father's house there are many homes, and that He was going to prepare a place for us (CCC 1025).
Heaven is being with God forever, together with Mary, the angels, the saints and everyone who loves Him. It is the happiest happiness there is, the thing every heart longs for (CCC 1024). In heaven we will see God face to face (CCC 1023).
What will heaven be like? It is so wonderful that no eye has seen it and no ear has heard it. The Bible uses pictures to help us: a great wedding feast, a city full of light, a home where God wipes away every tear and there is no more sadness or pain (CCC 1027).
Jesus opened heaven for us by His death and Resurrection (CCC 1026). God wants every person to come home to Him. He never forces anyone, because love is always free, so we say yes to Him every day by loving Him and others, praying, and coming back to Him when we fall. Some people who die in God's friendship still need to be made completely ready for heaven. The Church calls this purgatory, and we can help them with our prayers (CCC 1030).
At the end of time, Jesus will come again and raise our bodies, and God will make everything new. Until then, we live like people on the way home: full of hope, full of joy, and holding the hand of Jesus, who walks with us.
Key points
- Heaven is being with God forever.
- Jesus opened heaven for us, and God wants everyone there.
- We say yes to God each day on our way home.
The Word of God
In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more.
Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 1023-1027
- CCC 1030
- CCC 1817
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Live it this week
Draw a picture of what you think heaven will be like and show your family. Pray for someone you know who has died, and ask Jesus to help you say yes to Him every day on the way home.
Check yourself: three questions
1. What is heaven?
- A place in outer space
- Being with God forever in perfect happiness
- A dream we have at night
- A reward only for grown-ups
Show the answer
Being with God forever in perfect happiness. Heaven is life with God, Mary, the angels and the saints, in perfect happiness forever.
2. Who opened heaven for us?
- The angels
- Moses
- We did it ourselves
- Jesus, by His death and Resurrection
Show the answer
Jesus, by His death and Resurrection. Jesus opened heaven for us by dying and rising again.
3. How do we get ready for heaven now?
- By saying yes to God and loving others each day
- By being perfect from birth
- By waiting and doing nothing
- By being the best at sports
Show the answer
By saying yes to God and loving others each day. God never forces us. We say yes to His love every day by loving, praying and coming back when we fall.
Words to know
- Purgatory
- A time of being made completely ready for heaven, for people who die in God's friendship. Our prayers help them.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The children will know that heaven is life with God forever, that Jesus opened it for them, and will look forward to it with hope and joy.
Opener. Ask: "What is the best part about coming home after a long trip?" Then: "Jesus tells us we have a forever home waiting for us."
Discussion questions
- What do you think heaven will be like? [Welcome every idea. Gently remind them it will be even better than we imagine.]
- Who will be in heaven? [God, Mary, the angels, the saints and all who love God. Children often ask about pets and loved ones; answer honestly that we can trust God's goodness completely.]
- Does God force anyone to go to heaven? [No. Love is free. We say yes to God every day.]
- How can we help people who have died? [By praying for them, especially at Mass.]
Activity. Our home with God collage: give children magazines, markers, glitter and a large sheet titled "Our Home with God". They add pictures of joy, light, family, a feast and people from every nation. Write the memory verse in the middle. Since this is the last lesson of the year, end with a small celebration: each child shares one thing they learned this year, and the group thanks God with a little party, a taste of the wedding feast of heaven.
Closing prayer. Jesus, thank You for preparing a home for us in heaven. Thank You for everything we learned this year. Hold our hands and walk with us every day, until we are home with You forever. Amen.
Timing. Welcome and Sign of the Cross 5 min, coming home opener 5 min, read the lesson aloud 10 min, discussion 10 min, heaven collage 15 min, memory verse 5 min, quiz together 5 min, closing prayer 5 min.
Related lessons
- The End of the Story: Death, Judgment and Heaven (Start Here, free)
- and life everlasting. Amen. (The Creed, free)
- What Is Heaven Really Like? (The Last Things)
- Faith, Hope and Charity (Grace and Virtue)
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