Sermons by Washington National Cathedral

November 14, 2021: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

“Jesus shows us what it means to sacrifice in the name of love. He showed us the way to love our neighbor and by extension, the way to love our world. We too can learn to sacrifice in the name of love in order to heal our planet, in order to heal our relationship with our earthly home.”

Dean Randy Hollerith was recently reminded of the fragility of our planet. What are you willing to do to become one of Earth’s ambassadors?

November 7, 2021: Sermon by Canon Historian Jon Meacham

“Such is the great promise, the ultimate hope, of our faith—that death will be no more. A promise made to saints and sinners alike. Which is very good news for all of us sinners.”

On All Saints’ Sunday, our new Canon Historian Jon Meacham preached on saintliness and redeeming the soul of America.

October 31, 2021: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

“There is no unacceptable person. There is only neighbor. There is no foreigner. There is only neighbor. There is no stranger. There is only neighbor. There is no unworthy political opponent. There is only neighbor. There is no enemy. There is only neighbor.”

We’ve heard the commandments to love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. According to Dean Randy Hollerith, these commandments cannot stand alone. Christianity revolves around living out the love of God and love of neighbor.

October 24, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.

“What kind of followers are we when we can claim Jesus as our savior, but don't show up when those who are suffering are in need?”

It’s easy to run or look away when we see others who are sick or face economic difficulties. As Canon Leonard Hamlin preached, our faith should help us to see what we don’t want to see.

October 17, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope

"How do we get back to remembering that that’s who Jesus called us to be?"

The answer to this question Canon Jan Naylor Cope asked us yesterday may not be simple, but it is clear. In order to be the person Jesus calls us to be, we need to serve others.

October 10, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas

“The fact of the matter is what was normal before the pandemic is not really something that we should be clamoring to return to.”

For followers of Christ, a normal life is not something we should strive for. Canon Theologian Kelly Brown Douglas preached on Sunday, encouraging us to dismantle systems of injustice and work to bring the kingdom of God down to earth.

October 3, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello

“The purpose of all human interaction, all human communion, is spiritual.”

We often stray from God’s dream of relationships being based on mutual respect and equality. Humans can be selfish and sinful, but Canon Vicar Dana Corsello makes it clear that we are also capable of infinite love. 

September 26, 2021: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

“As this Cathedral celebrates its 114th birthday, what is it being called to do? What are we being called to do?”

Birthdays are often a time for reflection, and the Cathedral’s birthday is no exception. Dean Randy Hollerith contemplates our mission, all we have to celebrate, and where we are headed as we remembered the anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone.

September 19, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan

“Jesus points us to a way of love that requires the living of life as a servant.”

How often on our faith journey do we distracted, discouraged, or fearful? Canon Rose Duncan reminds us that these journeys are never simple paths and there are always going to be challenges, but we must move beyond that fear in the service of building God’s kingdom. 

September 12, 2021: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

“Yes, we are a people divided to a degree we have not seen in a long, long time, but it need not be so. We have witnessed a better way. We have seen what we can do when we stand together.”

As we reflect on what we have learned in the twenty years since the 9/11 attacks, Dean Randy Hollerith reminded us on Sunday that we are strongest when we put love into action.