Monday Musings - A Painful and Upsetting Truth

Let's be frank: If we really believe that Jesus Christ is truly and  substantially present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the tabernacles of our Churches, we would be there with Him. We would do everything in our power to spend some time with Him and to encourage others to do so as well. 

But we don't really believe this essential Truth. We have abandoned our Loving Lord to His prison-tabernacle and locked the doors of His Churches so that even the few drawn to be with Him are unable to get in.

Stop for a moment and ponder this shocking reality from our Lord's perspective. Is this anyway to treat the Son of God? Of course it isn't!

Go visit and comfort our abandoned and forgotten Lord. Bring  a copy of  Stirring Slumbering Souls - 250 Eucharistic Reflections with you and let the wisdom it contains draw you into His loving embrace and Presence. Enlist in His army of Adorers. Let Him change you and the world!

Here is a sample of what others have said about Stirring Slumbering Souls which received a Seal of Approval from the Catholic Writer's Guild:

"I am still reading Slumbering Souls and wanted to thank you for reawakening my adoration and love of Jesus. - Patricia Grant

“Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful gem with me. I feel like every single Catholic should read it and have a copy and then share it with someone who isn’t and then we would be all set in this world. Such richness here and it stirs up so much in the soul." - Anne Costa

"Love Stirring Slumbering Souls. Beautiful, inspiring work."- Patricia Casey Vanderloo

"I absolutely LOVED this book. The saints' quotes about the Eucharist were so profound. The author did a fantastic job getting inspirational quotes from so many different sources. I didn't want to put this book down and have purchased it as gifts for several friends." - Janeen Zaio

 Stop what you are doing and go visit Him!

Eucharistic Reflection - We Have Time for Everything But God

"Why (as St. Peter Julian Eymard observed more than 100 years ago) do we have time for everything except for visits to our Lord and God, Who is waiting and longing for us in the Blessed Sacrament?"

Why do so few visit You? Why are those who try to do so often locked out? Why are Your Church and its members so timid and so silent about this great mystery and gift? Why have we lost reverence for and belief in Your Real Presence?

(Excerpt from I Thirst For Your Love)

Eucharistic Reflection - Seven Questions To Ponder

There are times when one must be blunt in the effort to stir slumbering souls. Today is one of those days.

Seek a quiet place where you and God can chat, heart to heart. He has some questions for you. Ponder them. How will you respond to Him?

(Photo©Father Lawrence Lew, O.P. Used with permission)

What if, as Father Francis Hudson, S.C.J. once asked his parishioners,     God loved you, only as much as you loved Him?

As you enter your parish Church, are you struck with a sense of the Sacred and a realization that you are standing on holy ground? If not, why not? 

What does Jesus see and hear from behind the locked Tabernacle doors when He gazes at those present? Is He pleased by what He hears and sees? If not, why not? 

How important is it for you to spend some time in quiet prayer and reflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, before, during, after Mass and throughout the course of each week? 

Of the 168 hours God gives you each week, how much of that time  do you even think of, talk to, or visit Him?

Are you satisfied with the manner in which you act and treat our Lord?   If not, what changes do you intend to make?

How much do you love God?

(Excerpted from Stirring Slumbering Souls - 250 Eucharistic Reflections)

Take note of what Catholic Author Anne Costa had to say:

"This book accomplished what author Michael Seagriff hoped: that is to ignite my heart and stir my soul to love Jesus more and more. The words contained in this volume speak Truth and breathe Life and offer the reader a broad sampling of some of the finest thoughts and reflections on the Eucharist--our source and summit and surest Love. I can't wait to get to Adoration!...“Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful gem with me. I feel like every single Catholic should read it and have a copy and then share it with someone who isn’t and then we would be all set in this world. Such richness here and it stirs up so much in the soul." 

Monday Musings - Eucharistic Revival - Missing Our Eucharistic Lord?

Stirring Slumbering Souls predated our Bishops' plea to rediscover belief in the Real Presence. This book received a Seal of Approval from the Catholic Writer's Guild. It provides fuel to set your heart ablaze and reignite your love for our ever-present Eucharistic Lord.

Look at what others have had to say about this remarkable and timely book - Stirring Slumbering Souls - 250 Eucharistic Reflections 

This book accomplished what author Michael Seagriff hoped: that is to ignite my heart and stir my soul to love Jesus more and more. The words contained in this volume speak Truth and breathe Life and offer the reader a broad sampling of some of the finest thoughts and reflections on the Eucharist--our source and summit and surest Love. I can't wait to get to Adoration!...“Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful gem with me. I feel like every single Catholic should read it and have a copy and then share it with someone who isn’t and then we would be all set in this world. Such richness here and it stirs up so much in the soul.

Anne Costa

 

Stirring Slumbering Souls is an eloquent treasury of Eucharistic reflections which you will enjoy reading over and over again. I read the reflections during Eucharistic adoration and just before bedtime. They were comforting, peaceful, insightful, and gave me a new appreciation and love for the Eucharist. I highly recommend this book for all who desire to grow in their love of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Jean M. Heimann 

If you bring this book with you to adoration, there is material enough to meditate upon for weeks or even months. Seagriff then supplies ten questions for further reflection, testimonies of adorers, and various prayers. I can't imagine anyone reading this book without their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament increasing.

Connie Rossini

Stirring Slumbering Souls is a beautiful anthology from saints, mystics and friends of Jesus. This book has the potential to facilitate deeper reflection and response for its readers who truly seek to grow in their faith and appreciation for the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. For some, just one quote could bring the moment of change and profound conversion for which they have longed. For others, this will be a companion to them in their prayer times at home and in Church. As for me, it will be among my select and treasured go-to spiritual books.

 Christine M. Arabik, M.A.

This book of beautiful reflections contains inspiring quotes from priests, religious, lay people and saints. An ideal resource to take to Eucharistic Adoration. Highly recommend!

Ellen Gable Hrkach

Michael Seagriff’s recently published, Stirring Slumbering Souls, gently reminds us that “to the Real Presence of Jesus, we often respond with our real absence!” (Father Florian Racine)…Seagriff reminds Christians of Jesus’ love and longing for us. Sadly, many who profess a belief in God’s presence in the tabernacle, casually enter a church still distracted by the cares of the world. If Saint Matthew (16:17-18) asks Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, but fail to see? Do you have ears, but fail to hear? Michael Seagriff answers with a carefully researched collection of two-hundred and fifty meditations that document the church’s response to Jesus’ call to intimacy.

Don Mulcare

Seagriff has done an exceptional job at bringing together all the voices, that we need to hear. Voices that sing the same song: Spend time with Jesus now, in faith. If you can’t find the time, or the desire, to spend time with Jesus now, then why should Jesus think that you would want to spend eternity with him, later?

Ginny Lieto

Michael Seagriff describes himself as a simple man, but his thoughts and reflections, and his choice of 250 Eucharistic Reflections in 'Stirring Slumbering Souls', are anything but simple. Rather, his choice reflects his profound love of his Lord and his devotion to The Eucharist. Buy a copy and keep it with you to read and re-read. You will be profoundly moved.

David Torkington

There are so many decisions we each make, daily, that lead us towards or away from holiness. The saints were never perfect. But each day, aware of God's unconditional forgiveness and love, they set out to strive for holiness, and to love each other and God as He loves us. If we were not sure what role Eucharistic Adoration has played in the making of our saints, Michael's new book, "Stirring, Slumbering Souls," leaves ZERO doubt! 

Mary Lothers

As Lent draws to an end, this is the perfect time to get your copy here. 

Eucharistic Revival - Missing Our Eucharistic Lord? Look At What Has Been Said About Stirring Slumbering Souls - 250 Eucharistic Reflections

 

This book accomplished what author Michael Seagriff hoped: that is to ignite my heart and stir my soul to love Jesus more and more. The words contained in this volume speak Truth and breathe Life and offer the reader a broad sampling of some of the finest thoughts and reflections on the Eucharist--our source and summit and surest Love. I can't wait to get to Adoration!...“Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful gem with me. I feel like every single Catholic should read it and have a copy and then share it with someone who isn’t and then we would be all set in this world. Such richness here and it stirs up so much in the soul.

Anne Costa

 

Stirring Slumbering Souls is an eloquent treasury of Eucharistic reflections which you will enjoy reading over and over again. I read the reflections during Eucharistic adoration and just before bedtime. They were comforting, peaceful, insightful, and gave me a new appreciation and love for the Eucharist. I highly recommend this book for all who desire to grow in their love of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Jean M. Heimann 

If you bring this book with you to adoration, there is material enough to meditate upon for weeks or even months. Seagriff then supplies ten questions for further reflection, testimonies of adorers, and various prayers. I can't imagine anyone reading this book without their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament increasing.

Connie Rossini

Stirring Slumbering Souls is a beautiful anthology from saints, mystics and friends of Jesus. This book has the potential to facilitate deeper reflection and response for its readers who truly seek to grow in their faith and appreciation for the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. For some, just one quote could bring the moment of change and profound conversion for which they have longed. For others, this will be a companion to them in their prayer times at home and in Church. As for me, it will be among my select and treasured go-to spiritual books.

 Christine M. Arabik, M.A.

This book of beautiful reflections contains inspiring quotes from priests, religious, lay people and saints. An ideal resource to take to Eucharistic Adoration. Highly recommend!

Ellen Gable Hrkach

Michael Seagriff’s recently published, Stirring Slumbering Souls, gently reminds us that “to the Real Presence of Jesus, we often respond with our real absence!” (Father Florian Racine)…Seagriff reminds Christians of Jesus’ love and longing for us. Sadly, many who profess a belief in God’s presence in the tabernacle, casually enter a church still distracted by the cares of the world. If Saint Matthew (16:17-18) asks Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, but fail to see? Do you have ears, but fail to hear? Michael Seagriff answers with a carefully researched collection of two-hundred and fifty meditations that document the church’s response to Jesus’ call to intimacy.

Don Mulcare

Seagriff has done an exceptional job at bringing together all the voices, that we need to hear. Voices that sing the same song: Spend time with Jesus now, in faith. If you can’t find the time, or the desire, to spend time with Jesus now, then why should Jesus think that you would want to spend eternity with him, later?

Ginny Lieto

Michael Seagriff describes himself as a simple man, but his thoughts and reflections, and his choice of 250 Eucharistic Reflections in 'Stirring Slumbering Souls', are anything but simple. Rather, his choice reflects his profound love of his Lord and his devotion to The Eucharist. Buy a copy and keep it with you to read and re-read. You will be profoundly moved.

David Torkington

There are so many decisions we each make, daily, that lead us towards or away from holiness. The saints were never perfect. But each day, aware of God's unconditional forgiveness and love, they set out to strive for holiness, and to love each other and God as He loves us. If we were not sure what role Eucharistic Adoration has played in the making of our saints, Michael's new book, "Stirring, Slumbering Souls," leaves ZERO doubt! God Bless you, Mike!

Mary Lothers

Get your copy here.

Eucharistic Reflection - What Shall I Answer?

"What shall I answer if I have not responded to the love of Jesus – and not given Him the whole love of my heart – and not spent myself for Him Who loved me unto death, even unto the death of the Cross? What shall I answer when I find out that throughout my life, every hour of the day and night, Jesus was for me imprisoned in the tabernacle, pleading for me with the Father – wishing for me to visit Him, to unite Himself to me, and to be my faithful, my own God?"

(Meditation on the Passion - A Mistress of Novices of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Just one of the 250 soul-searching quotations you will find in Stirring Slumbering Souls

Eucharistic Reflection - Come and Tell Him!

 (My humble contribution towards Eucharistic Revival: Stirring Slumbering Souls - 250 Eucharistic Reflections)

Eucharistic Reflection - Change Me Lord!

(Image Source: Unsplash)

"The night before [Jesus] died, He said, ‘This is my body – This is my blood’. Every day that we live, we are to hold out on the paten of our hands, our hearts, and minds, and wills, our all, and say: ‘This is my body - this is my blood.’ Take them. And what You do with wheat and wine and these awe-filled words, do with me! Let the outward appearances remain; my face, figure, height, and breadth; but the inner substance, change! Change it so that it will no longer be mine, but Thine. Change it so that I will always be what transubstantiated Wheat and Wine ever remain – Thee." 

(God, A Woman and The Way - Rev. M. Raymond, O.C.S.O.)

[This is just one of 250 powerful Eucharistic Reflections you will find in Stirring Slumbering Souls - a must read during this time of Eucharistic Revival]

Worth Revisiting - Let Us Love God As We Ought And As He Deserves - Part I

Thank you Elizabeth Riordan at Theology Is A Verb for hosting Worth Revisiting each week. It is a privilege to share our work with you and your followers.  

I would like to share the first part of a two part post:

Let Us Love God As We Ought And As He Deserves - Part I

(Originally posted February 17, 2020)

[What follows is a slightly modified version of a presentation I made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapter of The Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic in Charlottesville, Virginia on  Saturday September 8, 2018]

 

(Photo©Michael Seagriff)

God loves each and every one of us and is waiting for and thirsting for each of us to love Him in return.

My comments today and the reason I wrote and edited Stirring Slumbering Souls – 250 Eucharistic Reflections and I Thirst for Your Love is to address what I believe are the two most pressing problems in our Church today – the loss of the sense of the sacred in our churches AND the lack of belief in, and reverence for, our Eucharistic Lord!

I am a simple sinful man – too simple perhaps for some of you and no doubt more sinful than I ought to be. Just ask my wife and daughter. Second thought don’t.

But if God were to wait for only sinless and intellectual people to speak of Him, the world would be quite silent no doubt.

I cannot do justice to the magnificent Gift of the Eucharist. So, I will write from my heart, hoping the Holy Spirit will make up for all that is lacking in this post.

I am not writing simply to promote my books; I am asking God to use me to challenge and stir your souls.

Anything of value I might share today comes from God and to Him be the glory.

A Disclaimer: I am blessed to be a Lay Dominican. The ideas I express today are my own and do no not represent the endorsement of or position of the Order of Preachers as a whole.

I bet all of us have at different times of our lives gone so fast that we missed hearing or understanding God’s directions for our lives. 

I am equally certain, the majority of us has often been too slow in responding to God’s promptings. Many of us have gotten lost and discouraged in our spiritual journey, not knowing what spiritual path might be best for us.

This I also know: We must treasure the Eucharist and make - It -make Him - the center of all our actions, thoughts and prayers.

(Photo©Michael Seagriff)

Listen and feel our Lord’s anguish and pain:

“I remain unknown. I am left alone. Even those who claim to profess the mystery of my Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Altar forsake Me. I am treated with a terrible indifference, with coldness, and with a lack of respect that causes the angels to weep because they cannot offer Me reparation for the coldness and indifference of human hearts. Only men can make reparation for men. What is lacking is the loving response of a human heart to My Eucharistic Heart, pierced, alive and beating in the Sacrament of the Altar. Only a human heart can make reparation for a human heart. For this reason, the angels are sorrowful.”

 (The Soul of the Apostolate - Jean-Baptiste Chautard, O.C.S.O.)

Monday Musings - Let Us Love God As We Ought And As He Deserves - Part I

[What follows is a slightly modified version of a presentation I made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapter of The Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic in Charlottesville, Virginia on  Saturday September 8, 2018]

 

(Photo©Michael Seagriff)

God loves each and every one of us and is waiting for and thirsting for each of us to love Him in return.

My comments today and the reason I wrote and edited Stirring Slumbering Souls – 250 Eucharistic Reflections and I Thirst for Your Love is to address what I believe are the two most pressing problems in our Church today – the loss of the sense of the sacred in our churches AND the lack of belief in, and reverence for, our Eucharistic Lord!

I am a simple sinful man – too simple perhaps for some of you and no doubt more sinful than I ought to be. Just ask my wife and daughter. Second thought don’t.

But if God were to wait for only sinless and intellectual people to speak of Him, the world would be quite silent no doubt.

I cannot do justice to the magnificent Gift of the Eucharist. So, I will write from my heart, hoping the Holy Spirit will make up for all that is lacking in this post.

I am not writing simply to promote my books; I am asking God to use me to challenge and stir your souls.

Anything of value I might share today comes from God and to Him be the glory.

A Disclaimer: I am blessed to be a Lay Dominican. The ideas I express today are my own and do no not represent the endorsement of or position of the Order of Preachers as a whole.

I bet all of us have at different times of our lives gone so fast that we missed hearing or understanding God’s directions for our lives. 

I am equally certain, the majority of us has often been too slow in responding to God’s promptings. Many of us have gotten lost and discouraged in our spiritual journey, not knowing what spiritual path might be best for us.

This I also know: We must treasure the Eucharist and make - It -make Him - the center of all our actions, thoughts and prayers.

(Photo©Michael Seagriff)

Listen and feel our Lord’s anguish and pain:

“I remain unknown. I am left alone. Even those who claim to profess the mystery of my Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Altar forsake Me. I am treated with a terrible indifference, with coldness, and with a lack of respect that causes the angels to weep because they cannot offer Me reparation for the coldness and indifference of human hearts. Only men can make reparation for men. What is lacking is the loving response of a human heart to My Eucharistic Heart, pierced, alive and beating in the Sacrament of the Altar. Only a human heart can make reparation for a human heart. For this reason, the angels are sorrowful.”

 (The Soul of the Apostolate - Jean-Baptiste Chautard, O.C.S.O.)