The Answer Key: Practical Catholic Christian Living
PART ONE: Multiple Choice — Answers
1. B — It removes the guilt of original sin but leaves concupiscence as a matter for spiritual combat.
The Catechism of the Council of Trent is clear that Baptism forgives original sin and its guilt, but concupiscence — the disordered inclination toward sin — remains as the arena of ongoing spiritual warfare.*
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2. C — Death, while setting the mind on the Spirit leads to life and peace.
Romans 8:5–6 (ESV-CE): "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."
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3. B — Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.
Romans 13:14 (ESV-CE): "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."
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4. C — That He will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, and will provide a way of escape.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV-CE): "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
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5. C — Christ Himself, who breathed on the Apostles and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
The Baltimore Catechism teaches that Christ instituted the Sacrament of Penance when He breathed on the Apostles and gave them the power to forgive sins (John 20:22–23).
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6. B — Because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we were bought with a price.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (ESV-CE): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
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7. B — Dwell on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV-CE) provides a comprehensive standard for the Christian mind — not a withdrawal from the world, but a disciplined orientation of thought toward what is genuinely good.
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8. C — Any person, place, or thing that may easily lead us into sin.
The Baltimore Catechism defines a near occasion of sin as any person, place, or thing that may easily lead us into sin, and instructs Catholics to avoid such occasions as part of a sincere amendment of life.
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9. B — Frequent reception of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Confession.
The lesson identifies the sacramental life — particularly the Eucharist and Confession — as the heartbeat of Catholic spiritual life, through which grace is communicated and the soul is nourished and healed.
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10. C — By beholding the glory of the Lord with unveiled face, by the work of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV-CE): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
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PART TWO: True or False — Answers
11. FALSE — Concupiscence is not completely eliminated at Baptism. The guilt of original sin is removed, but concupiscence remains as a wound that is gradually healed through grace, the sacraments, and the spiritual life.
12. TRUE — The Catechism of the Council of Trent teaches that prayer is the lifting of the mind and heart to God and is the primary means by which we obtain the graces necessary to resist sin and grow in holiness.
13. TRUE — The Third Commandment, as explained in the Baltimore Catechism, obliges Catholics to hear Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and to rest from unnecessary servile work.
14. FALSE — The lesson is explicit that resisting temptation is not primarily a matter of willpower. It is a work of grace, accomplished through the sacraments, prayer, Scripture, and dependence on God — not human effort alone.
15. TRUE — St. Jerome's famous dictum, cited in the lesson, is: "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." This underscores the importance of regular, prayerful engagement with God's Word.
16. TRUE — The Baltimore Catechism teaches that in Confession we receive not only the forgiveness of sins but also the sacramental grace to avoid sin in the future and to grow in virtue.
17. FALSE — Philippians 4:13 is not a promise of worldly success. In context, Paul is speaking of contentment in all circumstances — whether in abundance or in need — through the strength Christ supplies. It is a promise of spiritual sufficiency, not material prosperity.
18. TRUE — The Catholic tradition firmly upholds the goodness and sacredness of the body. The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19) and will be resurrected. It is to be offered to God as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1), not despised.
19. FALSE — The lesson teaches that the struggle against temptation is ongoing throughout the Christian life. No one reaches a point of permanent immunity from temptation in this life; vigilance, prayer, and the sacraments remain necessary at every stage.
20. TRUE — Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV-CE): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
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PART THREE: Fill in the Blank — Answers
21. Concupiscence
22. Renewing (renewal)
23. Heart
24. Flesh (also acceptable: "the world, the flesh, and the devil" — the flesh is the missing term)
25. Unrighteousness
26. Lectio Divina
27. Word
28. Serve
29. Truth
30. Christ *(also acceptable: "occupation with Christ" or "a Person")
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PART FOUR: Short Answer — Guidelines & Key Points
These are not exhaustive model answers but key points that should be present in a strong response. Award full credit for answers that demonstrate understanding of the concept, even if phrasing differs.
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31. Concupiscence — Key Points:
- Concupiscence is the disordered inclination or tendency toward sin that remains in the soul even after Baptism has removed the guilt of original sin
- It is not itself a sin, but it inclines the will toward sinful choices and must be resisted
- The Catechism of the Council of Trent teaches that it is gradually healed and weakened through the reception of the sacraments, prayer, mortification, and cooperation with grace
- Strong answers will note that this is why the Christian life requires ongoing vigilance and is not completed at Baptism
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32. Seven Practical Ways to Nourish Grace — Key Points:
Students should list at least four of the following and offer a brief explanation of each:
1. Read and Pray the Scriptures — God's Word is living and active; it renews the mind and feeds the soul
2. Receive the Sacraments Frequently — The Eucharist and Confession are the primary channels of sanctifying grace
3. Pray Daily — Prayer is the lifting of the mind and heart to God; it is the breath of the spiritual life
4. Observe the Lord's Day — Sunday Mass and rest from servile work honor God and order the week around worship
5. Fellowship with Other Catholics — Community accountability and encouragement are essential to perseverance
6. Practice Mortification and Self-Denial — Small acts of self-denial weaken concupiscence and strengthen the will
7. Pursue Apostolic Works — Serving others through works of mercy and apostolate (e.g., the Legion of Mary) keeps faith active and outward-facing
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33. Romans 12:1–2 and the World — Key Points:
- Romans 12:1–2 calls Christians not to be "conformed to this world" but to be "transformed by the renewing of the mind"
- Strong answers will distinguish between living in the world (unavoidable and good) and being shaped by the world's values (to be resisted)
- Application to technology and entertainment: students should demonstrate that the standard of Philippians 4:8 (true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, praiseworthy) applies to what we watch, listen to, and consume online
- Strong answers may reference the concept of the near occasion of sin in connection with certain media habits
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34. Regular Confession — Key Points:
- Confession should be received regularly because it not only forgives sin but also provides sacramental grace to resist future sin (Baltimore Catechism)
- The soul benefits from the healing and strengthening grace of the sacrament even when sins are venial
- Acceptable Scripture references include: 1 John 1:9 ("If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness") or James 5:16
- Strong answers will note that regular Confession is a sign of spiritual maturity and self-knowledge, not weakness
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35. Near Occasion of Sin — Key Points:
- A near occasion of sin is any person, place, or thing that may easily lead us into sin (Baltimore Catechism definition)
- Students should provide a concrete, believable modern example — acceptable examples include: unrestricted smartphone use late at night, certain social media platforms or websites, relationships or friendships that consistently lead to gossip or impurity, frequenting environments where excessive drinking is normalized, etc.
- Strong answers will show that identifying and removing near occasions is an act of prudence and charity toward oneself, not scrupulosity
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36. Philippians 4:13 and the Fallen Disciple — Key Points:
- In context, Philippians 4:13 is Paul's testimony that Christ supplies the strength to endure all circumstances — including failure, suffering, and the aftermath of sin
- For the Catholic disciple who has fallen, this verse is a promise that Christ's strength is available through the sacramental life — especially through Confession (which restores sanctifying grace) and the Eucharist (which strengthens the soul for the journey ahead)
- Strong answers will resist a purely individualistic reading ("I can do anything I set my mind to") and instead connect the verse to dependence on Christ through His Church and sacraments
- The best answers will note that falling does not disqualify a disciple — the grace of God is greater than our sin, and the sacraments are precisely the means by which the fallen are restored and strengthened to rise again
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Total Points: 100
Suggested Grade Scale: 90–100 = A | 80–89 = B | 70–79 = C | 60–69 = D | Below 60 = F