Sermons by Washington National Cathedral

July 12, 2020: Sermon by the Rev. Dr. William H. Willimon

These last few months have been a dialogue with death, says Bishop William Willimon. But, in a sermon for the Cathedral from Duke University Divinity School, Dr. Willimon reminds us that death never has the last word.

"Whether we live or die, we belong to God."

How much we need to hear, and share, that message in the shadow of COVID-19.

Sermon date: July 12, 2020

July 5, 2020: Sermon by David Brooks

"Storms are normal parts of life. Storms end. Storms are moments of transition, when bad things go away and new things are born. They're moments of creativity."

New York Times columnist and author David Brooks preached at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Independence Day weekend.

Sermon date: July 5, 2020

June 14, 2020: Sermon by the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II

“When a nation is facing unnecessary and unnatural death, there must be a response of the people. There must be a refusal to accept easy answers and a refusal to just go along.”

The Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II preached this morning at Washington National Cathedral, emphasizing the need for real reconstruction in our society.

Sermon date: June 14, 2020

June 7, 2020: Sermon by the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde

“I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss my opportunity to go and do my part. I want the church I lead to do our part, to bring some good out of the nightmare we’ve been in, to wrench grace from unspeakable tragedy, to make real and meaningful restitution for the sins of that past that are still visited on far too many, to rid however we can our institutions of embedded racism.”

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde preached on Trinity Sunday, making one thing clear – we need to show up and continue the hard work of justice.

Sermon date: June 7, 2020

May 31, 2020: Sermon by the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry

“This past week, we have not only had to endure a pandemic occasioned by a virus, a viral pandemic, but we've had to endure and face a spiritual pandemic. The roots of self-centeredness where one person can look upon another person and despise and reject them, and not even behold them as a fellow child of God. We have seen once again the unthinkable become thinkable.”

On Pentecost Sunday, Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry preached, reminding us that there is a balm in Gilead that can make the wounded whole and heal the sin-sick soul.

Sermon date: May 31, 2020

May 24, 2020: Sermon by Jon Meacham

"I choose to wait and wonder not in despair, for the evidence of the gospel is that in our barren times, in times of violence and of virus, of gloom and of fear, joy will come in the morning. That is our story. That is our faith."

Jon Meacham, presidental historian and author, preached at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

Sermon date: May 24, 2020

May 17, 2020: Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Barry C. Black

As Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, the Rev. Dr. Barry C. Black receives questions from lawmakers, staffers and their families. On Military Recognition Sunday, The Rev. Dr. Barry Black preached, and had one question for us,

“Are you prepared to defend your hope?”

Sermon date: May 17, 2020

May 10, 2020: Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Sam Wells

"If we seek God because we want heaven, we don’t deserve heaven. If we want God because we want to avoid hell, we’re headed for hell. But if we desire God because we want nothing other than to be in utter relationship with the source, origin and purpose of the universe...then God will give us that relationship forever."

 

The Rev. Dr. Sam Wells, vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, joined us as a guest preacher on the Fifth Sunday of Easter.

 

Sermon date: May 10, 2020

January 21, 2018: Sermon by Dr. Brene Brown

Researcher and storyteller Brene Brown preached at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at Washington National Cathedral.

Sermon date: January 21, 2018

May 3, 2020: Sermon by the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde

"May all that you do now be for love, and may God keep you fiercely kind."

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde preached at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday of Easter.

Sermon date: May 3, 2020