The Book of Needs

Saturday I visited Archangel Michael Books, an Orthodox bookstore. I have long appreciated the liturgy, theology, and pastoral aura of Orthodox Christianity. While perusing for nothing at the store I came across a four volume set of The Book of Needs (I bought two volumes). The title alone was enough for me to pick it up and look inside. The contents of the four volumes (over 2,000 pages) contained liturgy after liturgy for just about every service you can think of. Blessing of the vineyard? Got it. Exorcism? It's there. Prayers for when impure thoughts come during sleep. Six pages. Even the blessing of a car - great for 16 year olds.

I love the title, The Book of Needs. Every single day we seek to meet our needs. And every single day the Church is present to help us. The Episcopal Church, while not have a four volume set does have equally wonderful resources in helping us meet our daily needs. The Book of Occasional Services has liturgies ranging from the Blessing of Homes to the Blessing of a Pregnant Woman to the anniversary of marriage. We also use other books from Church tradition (including the Book of Needs!).

The Church is not just for Sundays and for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. The Church is for every day and for all people. Christ has redeemed us and he has redeemed all of us. The Church, through centuries of pastoral practice, has found ways to meet us at every turn, and at every need.