Advent 2025: Living the Beatitudes with Joy
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).
It is a dark and cold morning in Sigueiro, Spain. The sun has not yet risen and you can see your breath. Our small group has risen early for this last leg of the Camino de Inglés (the English Way) to arrive in Santiago for noon Mass. We follow the arrows out of town, and before the first incline of the day, we stop for a prayer of strength and trust.
Then in comfortable silence we go up the incline and make our way further out of Sigueiro to Santiago de Compostela. As we make our way through the backroads of Sigueiro, I look up to the sky and see stars – there’s hardly any light pollution. The dark sky is filled with stars, and it is beautiful to wander in God's creation. I see the now-familiar yellow sign pointing us toward Santiago, and I think about how, if my life had gone according to plan when I was 22, I wouldn’t be walking in the early morning, seeing the stars, and on the Camino.
In that moment, I was certain God in His goodness wanted me to walk the Camino de Inglés at that moment and time. I felt a peace that I would be all right with the next step – marriage, consecrated life, or continuing in this season of singleness – because His plans are better and more beautiful than anything I can imagine. This moment was planned from the beginning of time – for God and me to have this small encounter on the Camino, watching the sun rise above the hills, taking each steep incline step by step.
Each kilometer closer to Santiago de Compostela was a cause of joy knowing that the walking was nearing its end and a cause of hope knowing that the Lord was there waiting to celebrate our arrival in the Celebration of the Eucharist.
Gaudete Sunday
This Third Week of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, we are rejoicing because of the anticipation of the long-awaited Messiah (Catholic Answers, 2025). Advent, a season of preparation, is coming to an end, and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior will be coming into the world just as the Scriptures foretold. The God of Heaven and Earth is coming into our world as a baby – vulnerable and meek – to be with us so that He can bring us our salvation on the cross.
This is a cause of joy. Jesus is nearly here, but we are still waiting in hopeful anticipation of His arrival. We need to continue to prepare for His arrival in our hearts, minds, and actions. The Beatitudes are like the yellow arrows on the Camino; they point us to the person who knows and loves us completely – Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and Friend.
The Beatitudes and Joy
“The Camino will provide.”
This phrase is often heard among Camino pilgrims. The coolers of water and juice, the fresh food left along the path, the walking sticks for the climbs, the chance encounters with people from every corner of the world, the encouragement of friends, and even the help of taxi drivers — all these moments capture the spirit of the Camino and, more deeply, the providence of God.
The Camino is a lesson of living in the present and trusting that God will provide. The Beatitudes are also a lesson of living in the present and trusting in God’s providence. And while that is terrifying for us, there is a simplicity and joy to leaning not on ourselves but on our Father in Heaven. It’s comforting that we do not have to live in constant chaos but can be in the present and see the small moments when the Lord is inviting us to be poor in spirit, meek, pure of heart, and merciful.
We are not all going to walk the Camino, but we can have moments of encounter with the Lord. The beautiful weather, the smiles and laughter of those we love, the luck of your car issues happening in broad daylight (in a parking lot) are all moments of God loving us.
The Beatitudes are a high call to transform our hearts toward Heaven. Living out the Beatitudes is a call to step outside of ourselves to areas that we do not want to go to; the outward actions that call us to be with those hurting and mourning and the inwards areas of vulnerability and surrendering where we want control.
Yet the Lord is coming. He is coming to be with the poor in spirit, the meek and pure of heart, the righteousness and merciful. He is coming for the peacemakers, the mourners, and the persecuted. He is coming to proclaim good news to the captives and to release us from our sins. He is coming to bring salvation to me and to you; to open the gates of heaven for us.
The Beatitudes are our arrows to our home with Jesus Christ in Heaven for all eternity. We can live the Beatitudes joyfully because the Lord showed us the way. There is nothing to white-knuckle our way through; we can simply be present and ask the Lord where He is calling us to be poor, meek, and merciful.
The Beatitudes are where we find our Lord and Savior here on this Earth (YouTube, 2025). On this Gaudete Sunday, read through the Beatitudes. Sit with the Beatitudes, and ask the Lord which Beatitude He is calling you to live as we prepare for His arrival on Earth.
Gaudete Sunday: https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-is-rose-used-during-advent-in-the-advent-wreath-and-vestment
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen. You can follow her on Instagram at @2012alexandra.