Startling Grace

French novelist, Georges Bernanos, in his famous, DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIEST, sums up the experience of his young protagonist, with the oft quoted, "Tout est grace", everything (all) is grace. Today's feast of our Lady of Guadalupe, reminds us, as Bishop Robert F. Morneau wrote in his reflection on Advent and Christmas, Waiting in Joyful Hope 2016-2017 p. 40, that grace is invasive, up-setting, and life-changing.  Indeed, a new beginning.
On December 9, 1531, while on his way to Mass, the simple peasant, Juan Diego saw a woman, whom we have come to call Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her appearance changed Juan into a courageous and faithful son, and changed the hill of Tepeyac and the history of Mexico as Mary's intervention enabled the natives to see themselves as her children and embrace the faith with such fervor, that it has survived persecution and thrives even today.  Millions come to the Shrine annually to pray before the miraculous image imprinted on Juan Diego's tilma over 500 years ago; healings of soul and body continue as does awareness of the poor and the need to help them.
Grace startled Mary at the Annunciattion, Bernadette at Lourdes, the children at Fatima:  new, undreamed of beginnings were initiated.
How has grace startled us, in the past, and during this Advent? In what ways can we be agents of grace to startle others?
Bro. Rene