Sermons from Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC
During advent, we may see the cute, cuddly baby Jesus that adorns our crèches and be tempted to forget who that baby grew up to be – a man who demanded justice and cared for the outcast.
Dean Randy Hollerith reminds us that “the real function of advent is the preparation for the radical entry of God into human history and the creation of something new.”
It’s no secret that the past nine months have been stressful. It’s been a year of juggling responsibilities to ourselves, to our loved ones, and to our work. So often, we worry that we aren’t doing enough. Yesterday, Bishop Mariann invited us to take a step back, let that worry go, and instead focus on love.
“Intentional efforts of love, however small, what they do inside is expand our capacity to love. And so the love that we offer, no matter where, no matter how small, has a way of multiplying.”
Yesterday, on the First Sunday of Advent, we welcomed guest preacher, the Rev. Adam Hamilton from Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.
As we're preparing for the arrival of Christ, Rev. Hamilton reminded us that "this whole month is about yearning and longing and remembering, so that we can rightly celebrate, and we can really fully remember, the significance of Christmas."
“Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me.”
Canon Theologian Kelly Brown Douglas preached at the Cathedral on Christ the King Sunday, inviting us to affirm the personhood of others, “for it was the case that Jesus saw himself in the face of the weak and the vulnerable, of those on the underside of injustice. It was personal for him. And as it was for him, it is to be for us the way to go.”
Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry preached at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on All Saints' Sunday.
“I sought my soul, but my soul, I could not see. I sought my God, but my God alluded me. I sought my neighbor and found all three.”
Quoting William Blake, Dean Randy Hollerith reminded us on Sunday that in the midst of this pandemic and the upcoming election, our fundamental task as Christians is to love God and love our neighbor.
“If it’s your turn, step up to the plate. Take the bull by the horns. Put a bell on that cat. In that moment you may feel alone, but you are not. The communion of saints is behind you. The people who love you surround you and the Spirit of the Lord is upon you because God has anointed you for this.”
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde preached on Sunday, reminding us that God has given us the confidence and strength to do more during these stressful times.
