Sermons by Washington National Cathedral

Sermon by Rear Admiral Margaret Grun Kibben

"The story of our Lord Jesus Christ has assured us that even death does not have the final line in our script, but in the redemption we receive. Our guilt, our grief, our trauma is placed into a much larger context, an eternal context, of faith and hope."

During our National Veterans Day Service, Rear Admiral Margaret Grun Kibben, 26th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy, preached on the faith of our veterans.

Sermon date: November 10, 2019

Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

"The Jesus we are presented with this morning ... is indeed an extremist for love. Upending the assumed values of society, he invites us as his disciples to join with him down in the valley, giving of ourselves to bless those God considers most important."

Dean Randy Hollerith preached on All Saints’ Sunday, encouraging us to go out into the world and live the heart of our faith.

Sermon date: November 3, 2019

Sermon by the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde

The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde preached on Cathedral Day.

Sermon date: September 29, 2019

Sermon by Senator John C. Danforth

"Jesus didn't tell us we should find someone else to do the work of loving our neighbors. He didn't say we should search for a program that would reach out to our enemies. Jesus delegated the love commandment to you and me. We have been given a non-delegable responsibility."

Sen. John Danforth preaches at Washington National Cathedral about political tribalism and the "ambitious ministry for the faithful" to combat social isolation.

Sermon date: September 22, 2019

Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

Remember the Island of Misfit Toys, with the choo-choo train with square wheels and the water pistol that shoot jelly? Dean Randy Hollerith sure does, and says it's an image of God's kingdom, where all are welcome, all are loved, and where God is actively searching for you to belong.

Sermon date: September 15, 2019

Sermon by the Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope

Robert Mugabe. Nelson Mandela. Two leaders, two different choices.

Provost Jan Naylor Cope explores what Moses' admonition to "choose life" means in our time. "You have a choice. Life and prosperity, or death and adversity. May you and I choose life. Our world needs us to do nothing less."

Sermon date: September 8, 2019

Sermon by the Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello

The Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello preaches at Washington National Cathedral on the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost.

Sermon date: September 1, 2019

Sermon by the Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello

“Honest confession relieves a burdensome secret. It tells the truth, which is that I am an ugly mess one day and a beautiful mess the next, both made in God’s divine image.”

Canon Vicar Dana Colley Corsello preaches at Washington National Cathedral about confronting our vulnerability and culpability and accepting the astonishing grace of God.

Sermon date: October 27, 2019

Sermon by the Rev. Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan

Canon Rose Duncan preaches at Washington National Cathedral on the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Sermon date: October 20, 2019

Sermon by the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith

Dean Randy Hollerith preaches at Washington National Cathedral on the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost.

Sermon date: October 13, 2019