Sermons by Washington National Cathedral

November 28, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello

“I may not perceive God's righteousness as always fair, but because of the blessings afforded at my birth, I have always been able to make a way when there is no way…It is time we make a way for others who haven't been able to make their own way.”

Advent is here, and with this season comes a reorientation to a just and hopeful future for all. The Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello preached on the First Sunday in Advent.

November 25, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.

The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached on Thanksgiving Day.

November 21, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Professor David Wilkinson

"There's something about the kingship of Christ, which reminds us that we are not masters of this world."

 

Quoting “Hamilton” and Teddy Roosevelt, the Rev. Professor David Wilkinson, professor at Durham University, preached on the Christ the King Sunday.

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.