JAMES BEHRENS: The ordinary becomes extraordinary with the grace
of God  Patti, who is our retreat house secretary, was telling
me a few days ago about last Christmas. Her brother Libby was
here and they were standing on the porch of the retreat house
kitchen.  Libby looked about and said how beautiful this place
is. He was, Pattie said, really taken with the view from the
porch. The church steeple towers ahead. And there is a path that
leads up some steps to the rear area of the monastery.  Patti
told me that she had seen the view so often, she more or less
became accustomed to it. It was only when Libby commented on the
beauty of this place that she looked again with a second sight.
and was grateful for what she saw, and for what her brother
said.  I suppose we all need to be reminded of the beauty that
exists right before our eyes. Familiarity dulls perception. But
the beauty is still there. Someone sees it, and shares the
thrill of what lies before us.  The first reading this past
Sunday morning has a wid