Sermons by Washington National Cathedral

February 27, 2022: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello

"As we sit in the safety of the sanctuary and you listen from the sanctuaries of your own home, may we hope and dream for the people around the world who are shrouded in war, poverty and oppression."

On Transfiguration Sunday, Canon Vicar Dana Corsello called on us to live into our baptismal vows.

February 20, 2022: Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd

"Today we gather to celebrate HBCU Sunday, and articulate their importance, advocate their relevance, confirm their resilience, validate their value, cite their contributions individually and collectively and substantiate their significance." 

We were thrilled to have the Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd preach on HBCU Sunday!

February 13, 2022: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope

"If we look for the light, we will see the light."

The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope preached about drawing strength from the inspirations around you and from the light that came into the world to shatter the darkness.

February 6, 2022: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.

"What are we becoming? We are asking this question not only of ourselves, but also of our families, our communities, our nation, and - dare I say - the world."

As the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. reminds us, something powerful happens when we invite Jesus to occupy the center of our lives. Like Simon (later, the apostle Peter) and the fishermen at Gennesaret, we are called to follow Jesus from shallow waters into the deep and have faith that we, too, can become all that we were created to be.

January 30, 2022: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

"The question is, can we accept God’s love for us, and thereby in turn, love ourselves?"

Being broken and being loved are not mutually exclusive. As Dean Hollerith reminds us, the Bible is filled with stories of love for the broken, the flawed, and the sick. #NationalCathedral #SundaySermon

January 23, 2022: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan

"Jesus comes to us today here and now. He is not lost in our past or hidden in an unknown future."

Jesus's message is the same today as it was when he preached in the synagogue all those years ago – bring good news to the oppressed, bind up the broken hearted, who proclaimed freedom and release. Watch Canon Rose Duncan's full sermon now!

#NationalCathedral #SundaySermon

January 16, 2022: Sermon by Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner

"Dr. King was not just a dreamer. He was a doer. You and I have the same spiritual power that King had. The power that got Jesus up out of the grave is available to you and I when our lives are rooted in Christ."

Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner preached on MLK Sunday, asking us to make loving God a priority. 

January 9, 2022: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

“As I stand here this morning in the light of the Epiphany, reflecting on the importance and the meaning of our baptisms, I can't help but wonder – what responsibility do we have as Christians to protect the health and welfare of our democracy?”

Remembering Jesus’s baptism and the first anniversary of the January 6th attacks, Dean Randy Hollerith reflected on our role as Christians in protecting democracy.

January 2, 2022: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.

“I am reminded that spiritual growth is very difficult if we live our lives in solitude. We all need each other.”

The New Year is often a time for growth and setting ourselves up to succeed. As the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. reminded us on Sunday, this is easier to do when we ground ourselves in scripture and community.

December 26, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope

The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope preached on Sunday, December 26, 2021, the First Sunday after Christmas Day.