Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World

by Fr. Chris Seith

Our screens are not morally neutral. The devices that we are so attached to affect our perception of the world. Unless we use them in a way contrary to the way in which they are intended to be used, we will find ourselves imprisoned in our own minds and living in a boring and lifeless world. In this book, Fr. Chris Seith exposes the spiritual apathy consuming our lives and, more importantly, God’s response to our imprisonment. In Jesus Christ, God has set us free from our spiritual malaise and rekindles in us a sense of wonder at the beauty of reality.

$14.95 Paperback | $9.99 Kindle

REVIEW

By Sister Marysia Weber, RSM, author of Screen Addiction: Why You Can’t Put That Phone Down

 

Smartphone use outside of work-related activity preoccupies the average American for 5.4 hours each day. In his book, Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World, Father Christopher Seith argues that deleting apps or reducing screentime isn’t enough to rehabilitate a generation dependent on digital stimulants. Constantly irradiated by screens, our culture is sick with what the desert fathers called “the noonday devil”—acedia. He vividly highlights how ever-increasing hours spent captivated by screens isolates persons and threatens to precipitate an existential crisis. Acedia’s daughter vices—despair, distaste for the sacred, and distraction– dispose us to estrangement.

 

Without condemning technology, Father Seith observes that dependence on the digital makes life more convenient and less painful, but not more human. Father Seith poignantly describes how a community could devolve into a network of individuals programmed to escape misery and anxiety through virtual algorithms. 

 

Father Seith articulates that with attachment to digital devices, we have forgotten the value of human life and our ontological end to make God’s love present in the world.  He reiterates that the primordial and sacred Church has something liberating to offer in the midst of a dehumanizing world.  

 

Father Seith seeks not to offer practical solutions but to provoke thought.  I highly recommend Father Seith’s book as it invites a world eclipsed by the modern noonday devil into the Light of Truth.  

Testimonials

“Father Seith’s book Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World is a thought-provoking exposé about the necessity of exposing our modern noonday devil—digital devices—to the Light of Truth.” – Sr. Marysia Weber, RSM, author of Screen Addiction: Why You Can’t Put That iPhone Down

“Put down your devices and read Rekindling Wonder. This is a most important work for our time. Fr. Seith has diagnosed a silent, omnipresent and deadly spiritual condition. Gratefully, in this engaging book he leads the reader on a journey to healing through trust and joy with Jesus Christ.” Most Reverend William D. Byrne, Bishop of Springfield, MA

“In Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World, Fr. Christopher J. Seith lays bare the true nature of acedia, showing us how to find stability within an inconstant, digitally-mediated world by grounding ourselves in the truth of Jesus Christ.” – Matt Fradd, author of Does God Exist? A Socratic Dialogue on the Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas

“Do you worry that you are too tied to a smartphone? Do you worry about the consequences? Have you found nothing that resolves the problem? Then turn with author Father Chris Seith to the age-old Christian wisdom about acedia. A new Christ-centered understanding of your experience will set you free.” – Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV, author of The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to Everyday Living

“This book, written with deep spiritual insight and theological wisdom, deftly applies ancient Christian wisdom to the ever-expanding reach of our current technology.” – John S. Grabowski, Ph.D., Professor of Moral Theology/Ethics, School of Theology and Religious Studies, The Catholic University of America

“Father Seith has accurately diagnosed acedia as the condition of contemporary Man. Such a condition will not be disarmed by more data or information provided by the internet. It will only be wrestled to the ground by the in-breaking of the presence of Christ. It is Presence that heals the boring self-enclosed, self-imposed world we inhabit. A world of our making, a world built up through our patterned and addictive relationship to technology. Here in these pages we find a way out of boredom and obsessive control seeking. But the way out is a way of intimate healing, a way of welcoming the Divine Presence IN. Only the harrowing of ‘our’ hell by the Christ will set us free. This beautifully written and erudite book will give us the courage to say YES to this in-breaking, this rescue mission born of God’s love.” – Deacon Jim Keating, Professor of Spiritual Theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

Rekindling Wonder engages the reader with a vision of living a more authentic relationship with God and man.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, author of Teaching and Learning in the Age of COVID19: Faith-Based — Online and Emergency Remote

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Christopher J. Seith was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington in 2014. After serving as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Potomac, MD, he began his doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America while living at St. John Paul II Seminary.  

In the Spring of 2020, he successfully defended his dissertation in which he examined Josef Pieper’s thought to argue that digital devices, unless they are used in a way contrary to their intended use, will imprison their users within a workaday world and damage their ability to joyfully celebrate the sacred mysteries.

He is currently the Director of Spiritual Formation at St. John Paul II Seminary.

OTHER CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY BOOKS

My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You by Edward Schallert

My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You by Edward Schallert

My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You By Edward Schallert My Restless Heart Finds Rest in You by Edward Schallert is a reflective exploration inspired by St. Augustine’s Confessions. Schallert, a retired professor and Cursillo participant, revisits the spiritual journey...

read more
Church of Love by Ronda Chervin

Church of Love by Ronda Chervin

Church of Love By Ronda Chervin The first of Ronda Chervin's more than 80 Catholic books, Church of Love is still many readers' favorite. It is an extended metaphor of how romantic human love is a mirror of the love of Jesus for the Church.   Paperback: $12.95 |...

read more
Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle by Lynda Rozell

Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle by Lynda Rozell

Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle by Lynda Rozell with a foreword by George Weigel Return to Me: Visits to the Tabernacle discusses tabernacle images with reflections on their symbolism, encouraging devotion to Jesus in the tabernacle and drawing readers to...

read more
The Comic Catholic

The Comic Catholic

The Comic Catholic By Ronda Chervin In this witty, literary stand-up routine, Ronda Chervin takes a bow to a key property of the human person as understood in our philosophical anthropology, namely, that of risibility. It is a trademark of our humanity that we were...

read more
Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation

Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation

Imagine the Joy! Reveries on Divine Revelation by Freddie Stewart, Jr. Compelled by his rich evangelical experience of searching the Scriptures alongside Christian brethren seeking spiritual inspiration and practical wisdom, Freddie has sought to share his enthusiasm...

read more
The Voices We Hear Daily

The Voices We Hear Daily

The Voices We Hear Daily by Fr. Eugene Azorji The Voices We Hear Daily is written as a simple narrative reflection on the four voices we hear every day--namely the voice of God, the voice of the world, the voice of self, and the voice of the Devil--our responses to...

read more
Lord, do you mean me? A father-Catechist?

Lord, do you mean me? A father-Catechist?

Lord, Do You Mean Me? A father-Catechist! by Francis Etheredge Reflecting on the reality of childhood, Francis Etheredge explores what is entailed in being a parent who wants to take up the vocation, as widely and as specifically as possible, of helping to found the...

read more
The Divinized Person

The Divinized Person

The Divinized Person by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Scripture tells us that man was created in the image and likeness of God (Gn 1:26). This book explores the meaning of this statement, describing each of us as a living, flesh-and-blood icon, a visible representation...

read more
Franciscanism: The Answer to Modernism

Franciscanism: The Answer to Modernism

Franciscanism: The Answer to Modernism By Bob Sizemore In a culture of death, St. Francis restores us to life. This book invites the reader into Franciscanism as the answer to Modernism.   Paperback $7.99 | Kindle $2.99  TESTIMONIALS "Imaginative, creative, inspiring...

read more
His Spoken Words

His Spoken Words

His Spoken Words by Richard Ruesch This book includes a complete compilation of the spoken words of our Lord Jesus Christ, which are contained in the verses of the New Testament, chronologically arranged from the time when His parents found Him in the temple, sitting...

read more
Из Тьмы… Мэри  Клоска

Из Тьмы… Мэри Клоска

Out of the Darkness by Mary Kloska Данная работа - собрание сокровищ, с которыми Иисус поделился с сердцем Мэри Клоска. Представляя эту книгу для читателя, Мэри надеется засвидетельствовать о Великой Силе, которая находится в Кресте Иисуса. Её сердце застывает при...

read more
Into the Heart of St. Joseph

Into the Heart of St. Joseph

Into the Heart of Saint Joseph by Jason Schreder Into the Heart of Saint Joseph immerses the reader through prayerful reflection, Scripture, and art, into Saint Joseph's interior life as the Husband of Mary and Zealous Defender of Christ. Saint Joseph is known to be a...

read more
The Eucharistic Revival Project – Missio Dei

The Eucharistic Revival Project – Missio Dei

The Eucharistic Revival Project Edited by Phillip Hadden & Jonathon Fessenden Foreword by Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R. The Eucharist Revival Project is Missio Dei’s response to Pope Francis’ call to rediscover "the real and loving presence of the Lord” in the...

read more
“That They May Have Life” (John 10:10): 35 Meditations

“That They May Have Life” (John 10:10): 35 Meditations

"That They May Have Life" (John 10:10): 35 Meditations by Fr. Julius D. Leloczky, O.Cist. This collection of meditations is a rich anthology of writings very much in the spirit and vein of the documents of the Second Vatican Council, and of the ideas represented by...

read more
77 Soundbytes of Love

77 Soundbytes of Love

The Interactive Blog is not yet in working order. Please email Ronda directly if you have any thoughts. chervinronda@gmail.com77 Soundbytes of Love: The Philosophical Spirituality of Ronda Chervin By Ronda Chervin This book is an anthology of soundbytes -- 77 to be...

read more
Talkaholics: Fate or Work-in-Process?

Talkaholics: Fate or Work-in-Process?

Talkaholics: Fate or Work-in-Progress By Ronda Chervin Why would I ever think I talk too much? Here are some tiny stories to show you why: “Ronda,” asked my spiritual director, “what would it be like if you joined a table (at the seminary where I was teaching and took...

read more
Purgatory in the Words of Jesus

Purgatory in the Words of Jesus

Purgatory in the Words of Jesus by Roger Skrenes In this book, Roger Skrenes explains how the teaching that only two possible realms exist after death, that of Heaven and Hell, as argued by many non-Catholic Christians, is not correct. Christ actually spoke of a third...

read more
The Sea Lord’s Bookshelf by Vincent Salamoni, M.S.A.

The Sea Lord’s Bookshelf by Vincent Salamoni, M.S.A.

All profits go to the Missionaries of the Holy Apostles (M.S.A.) LORD, HAVE MERCY: The big ocean and our little boat.The Sea Lord's Bookshelf by Reverend Vincent A. Salamoni, M.S.A. This book is a catalyst, of a beginning voyage. Here it is a short one, yet a long...

read more
For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy

For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy

For the Love of God: The Sacred Heart and the Divine Mercy Kristina R. Olsen The purpose of this book is to invite you into the Sacred Heart of Jesus to experience his love, and to introduce you to the Divine Mercy devotion to encounter God's limitless forgiveness. We...

read more
The Book of Love: Brief Meditations

The Book of Love: Brief Meditations

Cover design by Sophia ClementsWhen given the chance to submit cover designs, four out of five of Richard Clements' children submitted drawings. The one selected is from among those four submissions. The other three submissions are featured here above.The Book of...

read more
Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners

Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners

Devociones Diarias de LIFE Runners Editado por Dr. Patrick Castle and Bernadette Costello ¡DIOS primero, VIDA siempre, EQUIPO para siempre! Corredores de VIDA es el equipo Pro-Vida más grande del mundo, correr es opcional, se requiere camiseta y se necesita fe. Nos...

read more
Nuggets of Wisdom

Nuggets of Wisdom

Nuggets of Wisdom By Bob Sizemore with Ronda Chervin In this handy volume, Bob Sizemore and Ronda Chervin engage in a dialogue intended to deliver nuggets of life's wisdom, offering both specific and general insights on navigating one's way through this world and into...

read more
No Longer I: Sharing Christ’s Gospel Narrative

No Longer I: Sharing Christ’s Gospel Narrative

No Longer I: Sharing Christ's Gospel Narrative by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Christ entered our world and gave himself completely to us to the point of dying for us, to become nourishment for us and a source of hope. In this book, Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., demonstrates...

read more
The Blessings of the Beatitudes

The Blessings of the Beatitudes

The Blessings of the Beatitudes by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book is about the vision Jesus sets before his hearers of a world ruled by justice and love. The eight beatitudes provide hope to all who listen to and follow the call of the kingdom in their hearts....

read more
Jesus Christ: A Man of Prayer by Fr. Paul Ezinando

Jesus Christ: A Man of Prayer by Fr. Paul Ezinando

Jesus Christ: A Man of Prayer by Fr. Paul Ezinando In this work, Fr. Paul Ezinando demonstrates that though we have knowledge of Jesus Christ from various perspectives, we cannot know Him enough. To help us come to a better knowledge of Jesus Christ, Fr Ezinando...

read more