Sermons by Washington National Cathedral

July 18, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.

“We must remember, it does not begin with others, it begins with me.”

Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached a powerful sermon on Sunday, encouraging us to build a strong community by reflecting the values we seek in a community.

July 11, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Patrick Keyser

“Incidents of senseless violence often leave us feeling completely helpless and unsure what we can do. We can, in turn, all too easily, lean into that attitude of helplessness and thus absolve ourselves of any responsibility. The story of John's beheading might not offer us a word that touches and warms the heart, but it does offer us a call to action.”

 

In a world filled with violence, we are called to be peacemakers. The Rev. Patrick Keyser preached yesterday, on the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre.

July 4, 2021: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

475 days.

That’s how long it’s been since the Cathedral has been able to welcome worshippers in-person. On Sunday, Dean Randy Hollerith reflected on what we’ve learned in those 475 days and the work we need to do in order to move forward.

June 27, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan

"You and I are free for one another. Free to build the beloved community, to lean into the ideals of a more perfect union, where our value and worth as the human family, as beloved children of God, is not defined by social status, by the pronouns by which we identify ourselves, by who we love, or by the color of our skin."

On the last weekend of Pride month and looking forward to celebrating Independence Day next week, Canon for Worship Rose Duncan told us what freedom as God's children means.

June 20, 2021: Sermon by Bishop Yvette A. Flunder

“I am free to be free and I am free to free people.”

We were thrilled to welcome guest preacher Bishop Yvette A. Flunder to the Canterbury pulpit. Preaching the day after Juneteenth was made a national holiday, Bishop Flunder encouraged us to reflect on the meaning of freedom.

June 13, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.

"Can you hear me now?"

As we reemerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. reminded us yesterday that we cannot return to a new normal. We need to hear God’s call and put in the work to help create a world full of love.

June 6, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope

“We have to deal with the sin that is so much a part of our human fabric.”

The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope reminded us yesterday that in order to be repairers of the breach and help heal the soul of the nation, we first need to understand what is broken and how it came to be.

May 30, 2021: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

“Faith is more than belief. It is more than the quest for the right ideas about God. Faith means inviting Jesus Christ into your life. It means falling on your knees and asking Christ to draw closer to you than you are to yourself.”

Dean Randy Hollerith preached on Sunday and discussed Nicodemus, who, like many of us, had trouble turning his spiritual curiosity into a religious faith.

May 23, 2021: Sermon by the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry

“Love is ecumenical. Love is interfaith. Love is bipartisan. Love is multiethnic. Love embraces and includes us all.”

 

Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry celebrated Pentecost Sunday with us yesterday, reminding us that Pentecost is an extension of the incarnation, and a revolution of the Spirit and love.

May 16, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.

“There’s power in prayer.”

A simple message, but one that we often need to be reminded of. The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached yesterday, emphasizing the importance of putting prayer into action.