THAT WE MAY PERFECTLY LOVE THEE: Preparing Our Hearts for the Eucharist

For Christians, every observance of the Eucharist (or "great thanksgiving") is a unique celebration of Christ's passion, death and resurrection. In this small gift book, Benson finds meaning in all of the elements that comprise Christian liturgy, beginning with the entrance to the worship service and winding through the sermon and the prayers of the people to the Main Event: the Eucharist, which Benson calls "the Word made flesh." He writes mellifluously, with original insights and welcome humor. ("I am not particularly anxious for the day that the saints go marching in, but I do like our dress rehearsals, and especially the processional," he confides.) The book is refreshingly ecumenical, but will probably be best appreciated by readers who share Benson's liturgical bent. (May)