Sermons by Washington National Cathedral

March 7, 2021: Sermon by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine

“Christian teaching need not maligned Jewish tradition in order to make Jesus look good. I'm a Jew. I don't worship Jesus as lord and savior, but I have spent my life studying him and being inspired by him and learning from him."

We were thrilled to welcome Dr. Amy-Jill Levine as our preacher yesterday. Her sermon encouraged us to question our views of the lectionary and what role the New Testament plays in our understanding of Judaism.

February 28, 2021: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

“Jesus’ suffering and death were not the price to be paid for the forgiveness of sins. They were the cost of love.”

On February 28, Dean Randy Hollerith preached, giving thanks for the work of historically black colleges and universities, and remembering the individuals who fought for justice, not through violence, but through love.

February 21, 2021: Sermon by Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie

“It is my inability to say no to me that gets in the way of me saying yes to God. It's my agenda. It's my way. It's my policy. It’s my thoughts over the one whose ways are not our ways and whose thoughts are not like our thoughts.”

 

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie preached on February 21, encouraging us to say an enthusiastic “Yes!” to God.

February 14, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr.

"What happened to Peter is a mistake that happens to us. This was a divine moment where Jesus was speaking, but instead of listening, he wanted to busy himself. Sometimes we're in such a hurry to do that we forget that it's important to just be."

The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr. preached on February 14, 2021, encouraging us to take time to be in the present,

January 31, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope

“My brothers and sisters, look for the true light, follow the light, and be the light. We can do this, with God's help together.”

Recalling a sermon preached by Dean Randy Hollerith in 2016, Provost Jan Naylor Cope reminded us on Sunday that although we may feel broken, hurt, anxious or worried, we should never forget whose we are.

January 24, 2021: Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

"Friends, I think it is time for all of us to take a long, hard look at ourselves, at our behaviors, at our values, at our way of life, and repent. We need to have a new mind, to listen to Jesus’ call to all of us, to take up the work of his kingdom, to live as people of faith."

 

With the promises a new year brings, it would be easy to sit back and relax. However, during his sermon yesterday, Dean Randy Hollerith reminded us that we have work to do.

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January 17, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson

The Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson preached at Washington National Cathedral on January 17, 2021.

January 10, 2021: Sermon by the Rev. Canon Paula E. Clark

“In spite of the devastation we experienced over the last year, friends, I have hope. I have hope because I remember who and whose we are. We are the beloved children of God, and all of us who live under the banner of God's love are challenged today to pick up are the cross of Jesus and follow him in his ministry of love, compassion, equity and justice.”

Before leaving the Diocese of Washington, The Rev. Canon Paula Clark, Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Chicago, spoke on Sunday at the Cathedral, encouraging us to remember who and whose we are.

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

“Christ becomes hope incarnate in our moments of despair. He becomes the source of confidence when times are out of joint and we've lost our reason. He becomes mercy when we stray and cheat ourselves from that which is good. He becomes grace and showers us with it when we do not deserve it. He becomes love so that we might clothe ourselves with it.”

 

Canon Vicar Dana Colley Corsello preached on Sunday, diving into the complexities of Jesus’s relationship with Mary.

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December 27, 2020: Sermon by the Rev. Patrick Keyser

"Nothing, not even the horrors of this pandemic can stop God's presence and love from breaking into our world and coming to us. That is the joy and promise of Christmas."

 

Cathedral Priest Associate Patrick Keyser spoke yesterday about the light shining throught the darkness during these twelve days of Christmas in his sermon on the First Sunday after Christmas.