Sermons by Washington National Cathedral

May 14, 2023: The Rev. Canon Dana Corsello

“If you love me… If you love me… I keep hearing Jesus say. If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” One and the same. We forgive because we are forgiven. One and the same. We obey Christ because we are in Christ. One and the same.  We can love because we are loved. One in the same.”  

The Rev. Canon Dana Corsello questions if our mortal capabilities align with God’s commands. She dives into how viewing love as a command does not make it less meaningful, and that if we love Jesus, then we also can love in the same ways that he does.  

May 7, 2023 Sermon: The Rev. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan

“Jesus demands truth telling and truthful living. That is why it is important that Jesus not only says, “I am the way and the truth”, but also that He is the life. Jesus is the life. That is, Jesus reveals the kind of living that endures because of the way and the truth.” 

The Rev. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan preaches on three significant parts of believing in and following Christ: the truth, the life, and the way. Through the Christian faith, we strive to become more like him. 

April 30, 2023 Sunday Sermon: The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope

“Sometimes people just need a little help and maybe a little hope along the way, as well. In this Easter season, my prayer for you and for me is that God will resurrect the child in us that’s crazy enough to believe that one person can make a difference. Let it be so for you and for me.”  

The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope preaches about hands-on ministry and the four grounding principles of the early church, sharing how the holy spirit can help one person make a difference. She reminds us that the holy spirit is alive and well, and encourages us to help others and become difference-makers.  

April 23, 2023 Sunday Sermon: The Very Rev. Randy Marshall Hollerith

“But, as our Gospel for this morning shows us, seeing and recognizing are not the same thing. Day in and day out I saw Charlotte, she was literally at my doorstep, but it was only in hindsight that I recognized the Christ emanating from her.” 

The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith shares a personal experience; the loss of a regular and local visitor to his church in Richmond. Through reflecting on this story, he and others affected by her loss realized that they saw God appearing through her in so many ways. We are then encouraged to try and recognize God in all things we see, for he is there.  

April 16, 2023 Sunday Sermon: The Rev. Canon Patrick Keyser

“What does it mean to have faith? To believe?   These are foundational questions for the Christian. But the answers to these seemingly elementary questions might not be as straightforward as we initially imagine.” 

The Rev. Canon Patrick Keyser invites us to reflect on what believing really means through the story of Jesus’s resurrection. Through the telling of this story, we begin to recognize ourselves and our faith through the deeper explanation of rituals and experiences.  

April 9, 2023 Easter Sunday Sermon: The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde

“The Franciscan priest Richard Rohr makes the case that Christ is universal.3 It’s not that everyone is Christian, but the truth of Christ, the life force we find in Christ, isn’t only available for those who follow Jesus. If that life force finds expression in other traditions, praise the God who loves diversity and show no partiality. For all our differences, we are one human race. This fragile earth is the island home for us all.” 

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde tells us the significance of the resurrection, and how it is the bringing of one to a new life, not a return to life as before. Resurrection implies change, a turning point. Jesus’s new life gives us a new life as well, one filled with faith, love, and learning.  

April 8, 2023 Easter Vigil Sermon: The Very Rev. Randy Marshall Hollerith

“Remember, when you forgive your enemy, when you feed the hungry, when you defend the weak – you proclaim the resurrection. When you work to repair broken relationships, when you sacrifice for the sake of others, when you take time to support a friend – you proclaim the resurrection. When you stand up for the truth, when you refuse to compromise your integrity, when you love the unlovable – you proclaim the resurrection.”  

The Very Rev. Randy Marshall Hollerith proclaims that Christ has risen, and teaches the importance of having something to hold on to and believe in. When we believe in Christ’s resurrection, we move forward with a new sense of hope. 

April 7, 2023 Good Friday Sermon: The Very Rev. Randy Marshall Hollerith

“I take comfort in the possibility that Jesus gave himself up to death on the cross, not because he knew the victory God would bring about on Easter Sunday, but because he was faithful to whatever his Father might ask of him. I take comfort in that possibility because it is so human. Don’t all of us, at one time or another, face suffering without knowing why we suffer or what that suffering means for our future?” 

The Very Rev. Randy Marshall Hollerith retells the story of Jesus’s crucifixion and offers two perspectives: one where Jesus went to the cross knowing how his story would end, and one where he trusted his father’s command without knowing how things would end. Both interpretations still result in the ultimate sacrifice, redemption and salvation from sin, and a reminder of what it means to be human.  

April 6, 2023 Maundy Thursday Sermon: The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin Sr.

“There was something special about Jesus and now on this night, they are not just listening to Jesus. They are seeing the authenticity of Jesus, not through the wonders performed by Jesus, but through the humble serving of Jesus.” 

The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin Sr retells the story of the last supper, where Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet and sharing together in holy communion. We are reminded that faith is not only demonstrated through words and beliefs, but also through actions. We are asked about where Jesus lives, and the answer is within each of us.  

April 4, 2023 Chrism Blessing Sermon: Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde

“In the living of our vows, whatever they are, then there is this necessary rhythm of rededication. Not because we didn’t mean what we said the first time we said it, but that in the living of our vows we gain a clearer understanding of what the vows entail, and we need to be reminded of what we said and why, and pray once again for the grace and power we need to fulfill them.”  

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde reflects on the significance of vows, and how those who are ordained have lived their vows. She tells of how one’s vows guide them down the path to becoming beloved, to living a fulfilling life.