Sermons by Washington National Cathedral

December 19, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas

“As you have heard me say from this pulpit before, but it bears repeating…no one, absolutely no one, is more or less worthy of a decent place to live, a secure job to work, enough food to eat, or the means to health and well-being…Because here is the thing – we are all lovingly created out of the dust of the earth as children of God.”

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Canon Theologian Kelly Brown Douglas asked us what it means for God to love us into loving.

December 12, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Patrick Keyser

What do you make of John the Baptist? He’s often described as eccentric or wild, but the Rev. Patrick Keyser says that “John's most remarkable quality is his steadfast, unwavering sense of his identity and purpose.”

John knows who he is and is confident in the message he relays – the savior is coming.

December 5, 2021: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

“Have you not learned that love has nothing to do with pardon or forgiveness, that it only loves and loves and loves?”

John the Baptist’s words arrive to us shortly before Christmas, telling us to repent right as we’re celebrating the most momentous expression of love that the world has ever seen. Dean Randy Hollerith tells us that repenting opens us up to the love around us.

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.