108: Quiz on Mortification in Christianity
Who originated the term "mortification"?
A) St. Peter
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B) St. Paul
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C) St. John
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D) St. James
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Question explanation
According to the text, St. Paul originated the term "mortification" and traced an analogy between Christ dying to a mortal and rising to an immortal life and His followers who renounce their past life of sin and rise through grace to a new life of holiness.
What is the main disease that mortification sets itself to slay?
A) Greed
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B) Envy
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C) Sin
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D) Pride
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Question explanation
According to the text, sin is the one mortal disease of the soul that mortification sets itself to slay. It destroys sin by impelling to true penitence and to the use of those means of forgiveness and restoration which our Lord has confided to His Church.
What is the difference between external and internal mortification?
A) External mortification is more effective than internal mortification.
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B) Internal mortification involves physical exercises, while external mortification involves mental exercises.
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C) External mortification involves self-inflicted painful exercises, while internal mortification involves the mortification of pride and self-love in their various forms.
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D) Internal mortification is practiced only by devout Catholics.
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Question explanation
According to the text, external mortifications are good only so far as they spring from the internal spirit of mortification, which involves the mortification of pride and self-love in their various forms. The external mortifications take the form of painful exercise and privations self-inflicted because they are painful, e.g., fastings, hard beds, abstention from lawful pleasures, etc.
What is peculiar to Christian mortification?
A. It relies for the attainment of its spiritual objects on the aid of divine grace.
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B) It is practiced only by devout Catholics.
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C) It relies solely on the natural efficacy of its methods.
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D) It is not effective in curing bad habits and implanting good ones.
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Question explanation
According to the text, what is peculiar to Christian mortification is that it relies on the attainment of its spiritual objects not merely on the natural efficacy of its methods, but still more on the aids of divine grace, for which, by its earnestness in self-discipline and the Christian motive which inspires it, it can plead so powerfully with God.