A Life and Death Quiz

How much do you know about heaven and hell?

        In these final years of the second millennium, people speculate more than ever on the end times... and what will follow. How much do you know about the end of the world, Christ’s Second Coming, heaven and hell? Begin with No. 1 and follow the directions.

1. The traditional “last things” are heaven, hell, death, and what

a. Judgment. (Go to 14)

b. Infinity. (Head for 42)

2. Right. That’s the traditional name of the “good thief” who was crucified next to Jesus. After scolding the other thief for taunting Our Lord, Dismas asked Jesus to remember him when Christ came into the kingdom. Jesus answered, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Lk. 23:43). Now move on to 23.

3. Yes. Hell – Gehenna in Scripture – was described as having “the unquenchable fire” (Mk 9:43), but what makes it hell is eternal separation from God. Now move to 24.

4. Let’s stay in purgatory just a bit longer. What’s the difference between purgatory and hell?

a. The souls in purgatory are still in union with God. (Go to 17)

b. Purgatory’s clock is ticking. Just like the world, it will come to an end. (Move to 34)

5. According to the catechism, “the Church also commends alms giving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead.” Historically, some Church members abused indulgences and incorrectly claimed what?

a. An indulgence can also be applied to oneself while living. (Head for 35)

b. It’s possible to buy a person out of hell. (Move to 38)

6. No Return to 24.

7. No, that was the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Return to 23.

8. The Church also teaches there is “particular judgment” for each of us at the moment of death. At that time, our souls will be headed for where?

a. Heaven or hell. (Go to 22)

b. Heaven, hell, or purgatory. (Move to 37)

9. No, the males in this flock weren’t separated Rams, ewes, and lambs are all sheep. Return to 20.

10. According to Scripture, this person is certainly in heaven.

a. Dismas. (Go to 2)

b. Joseph (Move to 40)

11. Jesus tells the story of the Final Judgment in Matthew 25. Those who helped the poor and needy in this life were helping Christ. Those who ignored them were ignoring Our Lord. The first group – the sheep – belong on God’s right. The second – the goats – go to the left. The “sheep” receive heaven; the “goats” go to hell. Now go to 8.

12. The Church’s teaching on hell certainly isn’t “in limbo.” Who’s one human being we know for certain is in hell?

a. Judas (Go to 16)

b. We don’t know. (Head for 28)

13. No, it isn’t just an idea some Catholics came up with. Return to 32.

14. Yes. The Church teaches a general judgment will take place after Christ’s Second Coming, or Parousia. Now head for 20.

15. Wrong. And thank God it’s true. Return to 18.

16. Sometimes we assume Judas or some horrible dictator or serial killer is in hell, but only God can judge. Only God knows. Return to 12.

17. Both answers are correct. The souls in purgatory are still in union with God, even if it is an imperfect union. Also, just as a soul’s time is limited in purgatory, purgatory’s time is limited. The Church teaches it will exist only until the Last Judgment. Now head for 32.

18. Here’s your last question. Is it true that each of our bodies will also rise from the dead and be reunited with our souls at the end of time, after the Final Judgment?

a. No way. That’s common misunderstanding. (Go to 15)

b. Yes, yes, yes! (Head for 26)

19. No. Sorry. Back to 27, please.

20. In Jesus’ parable about the Final Judgment, the sheep are at God’s right hand. What are at God’s left?

a. The rams. (Go to 9)

b. The goats. (Head for 11)

21. As long as we’re tackling thorny issues, let’s examine limbo. What does the catechism have to say about that?

a. It was a false teaching. (Go to 31)

b. Nothing. (Move to 41)

22. Sorry. That list is incomplete. Return to 8.

23. Mary’s assumption into heaven – body and soul – is the only declared exercise of papal infallibility. After consulting with all the bishops of the Church, which pope made this declaration when?

a. Pope Pius IX in 1854. (Go to 7)

b. Pope Pius XII in 1950. (Move to 30)

24. There was a famous Italian poet noted for writing about hell. Who was he?

a. Macchiavelli. (Go to 6)

b. Dante. (Go to 29)

25. Yes. And they’re right – and wrong. It’s in the Catholic Bible but not the Protestant Bible. The reference to purgatory – to the living praying for the dead – is found in 2 Maccabees 12:46. That’s an Old Testament book that Protestant denominations don’t include in their Bible. Now head for 5.

26. How about that? When we say in the creed we believe in the resurrection of the body, we don’t just mean Jesus on Easter. All the dead will rise, the catechism explains (no.998). Now head for 43)

27. In the Apostle’s Creed, we say Jesus descended into hell. What do we mean?

a. The gates of heaven weren’t open until Jesus rose on Easter Sunday. (Go to 19)

b. Jesus went where dead people went. (Move to 36)

28. That’s right. We don’t know. Now head for 39.

29. Yes. This 14th century writer’s Divine Comedy tells the story of a journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven. Now move on to 27.

30. Yes, though the Feast of the Assumption was celebrated by Christians as early as the seventh century. Now head 18.

31. Sorry. Return to 21.

32. “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified,” explains the "Catechism of the Catholic Church,” are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name purgatory to this final purification...” (nos. 1030, 1031). What’s a main reason Protestant teaching doesn’t agree with that?

a. The Catholic Church “invented” it. (Head for 13)

b. It’s not Bible-based. (Go to 25)

33. You’re not even warm. Return to 39.

34. Both answers are correct. The souls in purgatory are still in union with God, even if it is an imperfect union. Also, just as a soul’s time is limited in purgatory, purgatory’s time is limited. The Church teaches it will exist only until the Last Judgment. Now head for 32.

35. While still alive, an individual can gain indulgence for himself or herself or for a soul in purgatory. So, this statement is a correct claim regarding indulgences. Return to 5.

36. That’s right. Traditionally, we use the English word hell in that prayer, but it doesn’t refer to what we generally mean by hell. Hell comes from the Teutonic word hela, which means a hidden or covered place. It would be used to refer to a pit, for example, or a dungeon, or a hole. A more accurate team would be lower regions or wherever it was people went after they had died. Now head for 10.

37. Yes. Though purgatory isn’t as commonly talked about (or written about) in recent years, the Church has never stopped teaching that it exists. Now head for 4.

38. You’re right, this statement is an incorrect claim. Indulgences were unfortunately bought and sold to raise money or peddled as get-out-of-hell-free cards for anyone living or dead. It was a scandal that furthered the Protestant Reformation. But, as the Church explains in the catechism, an indulgence is a “remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.” So nothing can really be bought or sold with regard to Redemption. Now move to 21.

39. Where did we get the idea hell had fire?

a. From Scripture. (Go to 3)

b. From the Hebrew word for hell, which is almost the same as the one for flame. (Move to 33)

40. No. Though we guess he is, Scripture doesn’t say so. Return to 10.

41. Traditionally, limbo was considered the destination of infants who died prior to being baptized. The name comes from the Latin limbus, meaning edge or border. It was thought these souls weren’t in hell or heaven, but on the edge. Theologians have speculated on its existence but the Church has never officially defined it, and it’s not mentioned in the catechism. Now head for 12.

42. No, you’ll have to guess again. Return to 1.

43. When is the Parousia when all this is going to happen? In apostolic times, some people thought Jesus would come again before they died. At the end of the first millenium, others thought the end of the world was at hand. Now, as we approach the year 2000, people are making that claim again.

But we don’t know when Christ will be coming again. It could happen today; it could happen eons from now. What Jesus did tell us is to be prepared for our own death and for the end of time (Mt. 24: 36-51). We “know neither the day nor the hour’) (Mt. 25:13), but by choosing to love and serve God and our neighbor here and now, we ultimately choose heaven.

A Test On The Blessed

How well do you remember the Beatitudes?

   What’s the secret to becoming a better person, a person who continues to grow spiritually? There’s no secret. Jesus tells us how in Matthew 5:1-12 – the Beatitudes. How much do you know about these keys to leading a fuller Christian life? Begin with No. 1 and follow the directions.


1. Let’s start with an easy question. How many Beatitudes are there?
a. Ten. (Go to 21)
b. Eight. (Head for 34)


2. The seventh Beatitude has to do with making peace while the eight reminds us about what?
a. Following God’s will can cost us. (Head for 9)
b. Be honest in all things. (Go to 27)


3. In the fifth Beatitude, Jesus says those who show mercy will receive mercy. At Mass, when do we publicly agree to the deal Jesus is offering?
a. The Our Father. (Move to 8)
b. The Nicene Creed. (Head for 26)


4. You’re right. That’s another name for the kingdom of God. Matthew is the only Evangelist to use “kingdom of heaven” – following the Jewish custom of showing deep reverence by avoiding saying (or writing) God’s name. Now head for 25.


5. Yes. Does that sound familiar? It should. We’re back where we started. The first and last Beatitudes have the same pledge from Christ: the kingdom of heaven. Now head for 43.


6. What’s promised to “the clean of heart” ?
a. They will see God. (Head for 15)
b. They will be called children of God. (Go to 39)


7. Right. Not prime real estate, but “the land of milk and honey”. Salvation and eternal life. And no property taxes on it. Now head for 19.


8. Every time we say “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” To the degree that we forgive – show mercy – to others, we ask God to have mercy on us. Now move on to 6.


9. That’s right. In the last Beatitude, Jesus has a promise for those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Now move on to your final question, 38.


10. Sorry. “They will be filled.” Return to 41.


11. That was a long answer! Let’s try a short one. What are the “poor in spirit” promised?


a. The kingdom of heaven. (Go to 4)
b. They will be comforted. (Move to 33)


12. No, that sounds more like self-righteousness. Return to 18.


13. Both answers are correct. Where Matthew has “poor in spirit,” Luke writes simply “poor”. And where Matthew has eight Beatitudes, Luke has only four. Scripture scholars consider Luke’s first three “authentic” and believe the fourth comes from the early Church. Matthew has added four based on Psalms. Does this mean Matthew’s aren’t genuine? Of course it doesn’t. The verses reflect what Jesus taught, what the crowds heard, even if we don’t know, for example, if He was on a mount or a plain. Despite the differences between the two Evangelists’ writing, Jesus’ message is the same. Now move on to 11.


14. Oh, no. Return to 25.


15. Good for you. Now head for 30.


16. Correct. Each Beatitude describes a condition or way of behaving (hungering and thirsting for righteousness, being merciful, being pure of heart) and what particular grace that hardship will bring. Now go to 24.


17. Yes, the word means to both console and to invite to a banquet. Jesus is inviting to his table those who mourn. But that word means even more. It can also be translated as encourage, excite, or urge. Those who mourn can become God’s helpers – can become witnesses to the truth Jesus is teaching. Those who mourn can have their hearts set on fire with God’s love. Now go on to 41.


18. The fourth Beatitude, a la Matthew, is gentler, more lenient, than Luke’s. Luke writes of those who are now “hungry”. Period. Matthew’s version refers to those who “hunger and thirsts for righteousness”. What does righteousness mean?


a. Strongly convinced of our own goodness. (Head for 12)
b. Living in accordance with God’s will. (Move to 23)


19. No, Jesus isn’t telling the clean of heart they’re going to have visions here on earth. Return to 30.


20. Yes, but our word meek doesn’t really describe the virtue Jesus was praising. In Scripture, the Greek praus – meaning meek or gentle – referred to a person who had a positive attitude toward God and others, not to someone with no self-esteem or backbone. Jesus wasn’t saying “Blessed are the wishy-washy.” Now move on to 32.


21. No. Return to 1.


22. Ultimately. The Beatific Vision – the blessed, happy sight – is seeing God. That immediate knowledge of God is heaven. Now go on to 2.


23. Correct. When St. John Chrysostom (c. 347- 407) wrote about this Beatitude, he said righteousness is the “the whole of virtue” – following God’s will is following all virtues. And, he noted, we aren’t supposed to merely work at being righteous but “hunger and thirst” for it. Now go on to 3.


24. The Gospel of Luke has a similar list of Beatitudes from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” (6:20-49). That version has:


a. Half as many Beatitudes. (Go to 13)
b. Less “wiggle room” for us when it comes to poverty. (Head for 37)


25. When Matthew explains those who mourn will be comforted, he uses the Greek word paraklein. That does, indeed, mean console, but it also means:


a. Wreak vengeance on one’s enemies. (Head for 14)
b. Invite to a banquet. (Go to 17)


26. No. Return to 3.


27. No, that would be the Eighth Commandment about not bearing false witness. Return to 2.


28. How can we be happy if we are poor, if we are mourning, if we are persecuted?


a. Jesus said for every hardship involved in serving God, there is also a blessing. (Head for 16)
b. Jesus was not speaking in literal terms. (Go to 42)


29. Following the Beatitudes is a path to holiness but, no, that isn’t what the word itself means. Return to 40.


30. But what does “see God” mean?


a. Be blessed with visions of Our Lord. (Move to 19)
b. Get to heaven. (Head for 22)


31. Yes. It comes from the Latin beatitude, which means happiness. Some translations of the Bible use “blessed” while others say “happy”: happy are those who mourn, happy are the meek, and so on. Now head for 28.


32. Someone who is meek in the biblical sense isn’t a person who never gets angry. Rather, he or she knows when to get angry and how to get angry. Jesus described Himself as “meek and humble of heart” (Mt. 11:29), but He could get angry. An example is when He drove the money changers from the Temple in John 2:15. So what’s in store for those who practice this virtue? The earth. That means:


a. The Promised Land. (Go to 7)
b. Real estate. (Head for 36)


33. No, it’s those who mourn who will be comforted. Return to 11.


34. That’s right. Ready for a harder one? Move on to 40.


35. No. Return to 38.


36. You’re kidding. Right? Return to 32.


37. Both answers are correct. Where Matthew has “poor in spirit”, Luke writes “poor”. And where Matthew has eight Beatitudes, Luke has only four. Scripture scholars consider Luke’s first three “authentic” and believe the fourth comes from the early Church. Matthew has added four based on the Psalms. Does this mean Matthew’s aren’t genuine? Of course, it doesn’t. The verses reflect what Jesus taught, what the crowds heard, even if we don’t know, for example, if He was on a mount or a plain. Despite the differences between the two Evangelists’ writing, Jesus’ message in the same. Now move on to 11.


38. What is that promise? What’s in store for those who are persecuted?


a. “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Move to 5)
b. “They will be consoled.” (Go to 35)


39. No, those are the peacemakers. Return to 6.


40. What does the word beatitude mean?


a. It means holy. (Move to 29)
b. It means happy. (Go to 31)


41. The third Beatitude says who will inherit the earth?


a. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. (Head for 10)
b. The meek. (Move to 20)


42. No. The Church teaches that Jesus meant exactly what He was saying. Return to 28.


43. When the Church celebrates All Saints Day on November 1, it uses the Beatitudes for the Gospel reading at Mass. That only makes sense. Our saints are those among us who have lived these eight keys to holiness and true happiness.
       Let’s close by paraphrasing the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 1716, 1718): Beatitudes are at heart of Jesus’ preaching. They respond to the natural desire for happiness. This desire is of divine origin: God has placed it in the human heart to draw humankind to the One who alone can fulfill it.

Answers To Can You Identify These Biblical Fathers?

1. h 2. l   3. f  4. e 5. c 6. a. 7. k 8. j 9. g 10. b 11. d 12. i

A Church Music Master's Exam

Do you know the answers? Sing it out!

     It’s tempting to think we’re the first Catholics to face startling changes in liturgical music, but we aren’t. The 2nd Vatican Council (1962-1965) altered what had become the norm since the Council of Trent (1545-1563), but the Church’s tradition in music stretches back much further than the 16th century. How much do you know about that tradition? Start with No. 1 and follow the directions.


1. Christian music finds its roots in Judaism. The Old Testament talks of three kinds of ancient instruments one, the shofar, is still sued in synagogues today. What is a shofar made of?
a. Clay. (Go to 27)
b. A ram’s horn. (Head for 40)


2. Scripture scholars say Levite is a broader term than priest. Some Levites were what we would call sacristans, some collected tithes, some sang. Now move to 17.


3. The last century of the Middle Ages – the 15th – is notable for the development of what kind of music at Mass?
a. Organ. (Go to 11)
b. Orchestral. (Move to 41)


4. No. Return to 12.


5. In addition to horns and flutes, the Israelites used a third instrument. It’s one we often associate with David. What is it?
a. Lyre (Go to 35)
b. Harp (Move to 37)


6. Over time, after the building of the Temple, smaller houses of worship – synagogues – were established, and particular prayers were said and sung at particular times of the day. Early Christians followed the same practice. Today, Catholics call this set of prayers what?
a. Vespers. (Head for 16)
b. Liturgy of the Hours. (Go to 26)


7. A spinet in the Sinai? No. Return to 34.


8. In the latter part of the 14th century, religious musical composition was dominated by an organist from Florence. Francesco Landini might be called a “medieval Ray Charles” because:
a. He was blind. (Head for 15)
b. He wrote the first jazz Mass. (Go to 33)


9. During the Middle Ages, the chief form of liturgical music was monody – a single, unaccompanied melodic line. It’s more popularly known as what?
a. Gregorian chant. (Head for 14)
b. Plainsong. (Go to 32)


10. Yes, the Psalter- the Book of Psalms – is a collection of lyrics. It was the basis for musical liturgy that was performed by large choirs and huge orchestras of harps and lyres. Now head for 31.


11. Yes and it remained a liturgical favorite for centuries. Now head for 43.


12. It could be argued that despite the fact there were schools where chant was taught and cathedrals and monasteries known for their choirs, religious music didn’t really begin to flourish until Guido d’Arezzo.
a. The pipe organ. (Go to 4)
b. A way to write music. (Move to 21)


13. Yes. Musical instruments were associated with pagan rites. The Old Testament descriptions of Temple worship with instruments were interpreted as allegorical – merely symbolic rather than, for example, actual cymbals. Now head for 24.


14. Both answers are correct. Gregorian chant is named for Pope St. Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), who, it appears, compiled and arranged songs using this style, also known as plainchant or plain song. (Now move to 12)


15. Yes! Landini amazed people with the speed and delicacy of his playing and received honors normally reserved for poets and emperors. Now move to your final question, 3.


16. No. Vespers, an evening prayer, is part of the Liturgy of the Hours. Return to 6.


17. What was being sung in the Temple?
a. Psalms (Go to 10)
b. The Song of Songs. (Move to 39)


18. Sorry. Return to 24.


19. No, the Pharisees weren’t one of the twelve tribes. They were members of a sect first mentioned about a century before Christ. Return to 30.


20. No. Return to 31.


21. Until then, choir members had to learn every tune by hearing it sung and then memorizing it. Guido, a Benedictine monk and choir director, noticed one hymn followed a progression of notes that was easy to remember. In Latin, the song read: ut queant laxis/resonare fibris/mira gestorum/famuli tuorum: /solve polluti/labii reatus. Most of the first syllables are familiar to us. “Do” replaced “ut” but we still use re, mi, fa, sol, and la. Later ti was added and a higher do, creating an octave, but Guido’s scale used only six notes. He also figured out how to chart a song on a four-line staff. After Guido, religious music – all music – no longer relied on oral tradition; it could be written down. Now head for 36.


22. Yes, religious leaders sometimes used a small band – harp, drum, tambourine, flute, and lyre – as part of their ceremonies. One Bible passage, 1 Samuel 10: 5-6, suggests music helped them enter a “prophetic state”. Now go to 30.


23. That’s correct. A verse can be divided in two, with each half showing a version of one poetic image. (For example, Psalm 19, verse 2, reads: “The heavens declare the glory of God, / and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.”) The melodic formula calls for the first half verse to be sung by part of a choir (or congregation) using a single tone with some flourishes, and then answered in the same way by the other half of the choir singing the second half. Now go to 6.


24. The leaders in the Church in those early centuries were also concerned about what when it came to singing?
a. A congregation’s inability to carry a tune. (Move to 18)
b. The danger of pride and showmanship. (Head for 29)


25. Oh, no. He didn’t like the beat and said people couldn’t pray to it. Return to 36.


26. Yes, the Liturgy of the Hours (or Divine Office or breviary, as it used to be known) goes back to the Jewish custom of stopping throughout the day to pray. Today, Catholic congregations use the same melodic formula to sing the Psalms in a two-part, responsorial way. Now move on to 38.


27. No, though some win instruments – like flutes or pipes – were made of clay. Return to 1.


28. Anytime there are changes, some people like them and some don’t Pope John said Catholics should stick with ancient music. Now go to 8.


29. That’s right. There was concern a talented soloist – a cantor or deacon – might come to enjoy being the “star” of a liturgical celebration, taking center stage and overshadowing what was truly important. Now go to 9.


30. After the Temple was completed, worship services became more unified and there was a professional school for Temple musicians. They were members of the tribe often associated with the Temple priesthood. Who were they?
a. Levites. (Head for 2)
b. Pharisees. (Go to 19)


31. The structure of the Psalms lends itself to what form of singing?
a. Harmony. (Move to 20)
b. Chant. (Head for 23)


32. Both answers are correct. Gregorian chant is named for Pope St. Gregory the Great (c. 540-604), who, it appears, compiled and arranged songs using this style, also known as plainchant or plainsong. Now move to 12.


33. Jazz is a 20th century development with African-American roots. (If you want to hear a jazz Mass, check out the one written by Mary Lou Williams.) Return to 8.


34. Even before the building of the Temple of Solomon (ten centuries before Christ), local prophets made use of:
a. Small pianos. (Move to 7)
b. Bands. (Head for 22)


35. Let’s count either answer as correct. The lyre and the harp are cousins, both stringed instruments. They’re frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often played by Temple musicians. Now head for 34.


36. In the mid-13th century, Franco of Cologne assigned a definite time value to notes, and Petrus de Cruce introduced more innovations that made it easier to see the differences among smaller notes. In 1322, Pope John XXII issued Docta Sanctorum which:
a. Condemned many of the recent innovations in music. (Move to 28)
b. Praised the changes that were being made. (Head for 25)


37. Let’s count either answer as correct. The lyre and the harp are cousins, both stringed instruments. They’re frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often played by Temple musicians. Now head for 34.


38. The early Christian community continued the musical practices of the Jewish synagogues, but the Church Fathers called a halt to what?
a. Musical instruments. (Go to 13)
b. Any songs not in Latin. (Move to 42)


39. No. This Old Testament book is a poem written sometime after the Babylonian Exile (538 B.C.). The theme is the mutual love between God and his people. Return to 17.


40. That’s right. The curved horn of a ram, symbolic of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Gn. 22:13), was used as a bugle. The Hebrews blew shofars as Jericho’s walls came tumbling down (Jos 6:4, 5, 20). Now move on to 5.


41. No, that would come later and, just as the Fathers of the Church had feared; some of the extravagant music seemed to make the priest and the celebration of the Eucharist… second fiddle. Return to 5.


42. No. Return to 38.


43. The bishops at the Council of Trent were concerned about new music and new styles. A rule banned any melody considered seductive or impure, any text thought to be vain or worldly, and all “outcries” and “uproars”. It demanded lyrics had to be clearly understandable.
      Who could argue with that?
       In our own century, the bishops at Vatican II were more open to encouraging various musical forms and styles, but, they reminded us, “The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of immeasurable value, greater even than that of any other art.” Ancient or modern, plain or symphonic, its purpose has remained the same. Liturgical music exists to help us pray.