Sermons from Grace Cathedral

The Rev. Rebecca Lyman Samuel Garrett Professor of Church History Emerita, The Church Divinity School of the Pacific Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA Sunday, October 26th, 2025 The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 25   Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65:1-8 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18 Luke 18:9-14   How do we live faithfully in a world of violence and chaos?  Jesus and other Jewish leaders wrestled with this question under Roman occupation in Judea. In the Gospel of Luke this morning Jesus gives us another story about the broad mercy of God and the reversal of our usual expectations of piety: who prays in authentic relation to God, the righteous one or the repentant thug? In a world saturated with grace, Jesus grounds our courage in divine faithfulness and human solidarity. Prayer changes us to live in our particular vocations as salt and light.

The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F34 19 Pentecost (Proper 24C, Track 1) 11 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 19 October 2025 | Children's Sabbath   Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:97-104 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8

The Rev. Joe C. Williams, Succentor Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 23 Sunday, October 12, 2025   Jeremiah 29:1,4-7 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19

The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F33 St. Francis Sunday (Year C) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 5 October 2025 | Pet Blessing   Job 39:1-18 Psalm 121 Acts 4:32-35, 5:1-11 Luke 12:13-21

The Rev. Canon J. Sierra Reyes Canon to the Ordinary, The Diocese of California The Feast of St. Michael and All Angels 11 am Eucharist Sunday 28 September 2025   Genesis 28:10-17 Psalm 103:19-22 Revelation 12:7-12 John 1:47-51

The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young  Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F29 14 Pentecost (Proper 19C) 11 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 14 September 2025 | Congregation Sunday Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 Psalm 14 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10

Malcolm Clemens Young Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F28 Evensong 60 5:30 p.m. Choral Evensong Thursday 11 September 2025 | Chorister Investiture   1 Chron. 15:16, 19-25, 28 Psalm 146 2 Cor. 3:1-3

The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F27 13 Pentecost (Proper 18C) 11a.m. Eucharist Sunday 7 September 2025 Jeremiah 18:1-11 Psalm 139:1-5, 13-17 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33

In this sermon, the Rev. Canon Anna E. Rossi explores the theme of the stranger in scripture, Christian tradition, and contemporary life. From Israel's exile to Jeremiah's lament, from the Annunciation to Mary to Joseph of Arimathea's plea for Jesus' body, God appears as both stranger and guest. Jesus challenges us to take the lower place and to invite those we do not know to the banquet. In a time when immigrants and neighbors are imperiled, the call is clear: to recognize Christ in the stranger, and to welcome all to the table of shared humanity. Proper 17C • Jeremiah 2:4-13 • Psalm 81:1,10-16 • Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16 • Luke 14:1,7-14

The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 11 Pentecost (Proper 16C) (RCL) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 24 August 2025  Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17 Not Waving but Drowning "When he laid his hands on her she stood up straight and began praising God.” Luke 13

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco The Rev. Joe C. Williams Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:7-14 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA The Rev. Canon Mary Carter Greene August 10, 2025   Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 Psalm 50: 1-6 Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:32-40

In this sermon preached by the Rev. Canon Anna E. Rossi, inspired by a summer storm and the mountaintop visions of scripture, we are invited into awe before the holiness of God. This holiness is revealed not only in overwhelming power but in justice, equity, and love. Echoing Moses' transformation and Jesus' transfiguration, Rossi calls us to be formed through prayer, community, and sacrament. Holiness is not for the mountaintop alone but sends us into the world for the sake of others. At the baptismal font, we remember our call: to live as consecrated people in God's own mission. The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ:​ • Exodus 34:29-35 • Psalm 99 • Luke 9:28-36

"...live your lives in Christ, rooted and built up in him..." (Col.2).   The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 6 Pentecost (Proper 11C) RCL 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday 27 July 2025 | SF Marathon   Hosea 1:2-10 Psalm 85 Colossians2:6-15, (16-19) Luke 11:1-13

Grace Cathedral San Francisco, CA 6 Pentecost (Proper 11C) RCL 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday 20 July 2025 | Returning from the UK   Amos 8:1-12 Psalm 52 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42   As Martha served you, Lord, so too may we with faithful hearts and loving care prepare all things in fitting fashion for your feast. But grant us more. O Lord, that as we work we may be tuned with Mary's ear to hear in all we do, the lessons that you teach. [i]   What is God saying to you now, in this season of your life?

The Rev. Joe C. Williams Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA July 13, 2025 11 a.m. Eucharist Amos 7:7-17 Psalm 82 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10: 25-37 Each time I hear this particular passage in the Book of Amos, I can't help but think about the sculpture in Christ Chapel at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin where I attended graduate school. Sitting quietly by itself in the corner is a memorial to the life and work of Bishop John Hines, former presiding bishop and sometime Bishop of Texas. It sits where light filters through coloured glass and shadows dance across the stone floor, bronze and steel reach skyward, and from heaven's height, a plumb line descends—not merely metal and cord, but the very heartbeat of God made manifest. Inscribed beneath in ancient cadence: “Amos, what seest thou?”

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA July 6, 2025 11 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Proper 9C   In this homily, the Rev. Canon Anna E. Rossi draws from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1957 sermon on Ghanaian independence to illuminate Jesus' words, "I watched Satan fall from heaven," as a metaphor for the fall of oppressive powers. Rossi's homily calls Christians to resist injustice not with violence, but through faithful, embodied action: crossing boundaries, building community, and stewarding creation. Echoing Paul, it urges perseverance in the work of the common good. The oppressor will not fall from the sky. We must march with God until dignity and peace belong to all.   2 Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30 Galatians 6:(1-6)7-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA June 29, 2025 - 11 a.m Eucharist 2 Kings:2:1-2, 6-14 Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Luke 9:51-62

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA June 29, 2025 - 11 a.m Eucharist   2 Kings:2:1-2, 6-14 Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Luke 9:51-62    

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA June 22, 2025 - The Second Sunday After Pentecost 1 Kings 19:1-15a Psalm 42:1-7 Galatians 2:23-29 Luke 8:26-39

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA June 22, 2025 - The Second Sunday After Pentecost   1 Kings 19:1-15a Psalm 42:1-7 Galatians 2:23-29 Luke 8:26-39

The Rev. Joe C. Williams Grace Cathedral, San Francisco June 15, 2025 - Trinity Sunday: The First Sunday After Pentecost Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Psalm 8 John 16: 12-15

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA June 8, 2025   Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104::25-35, 37 Romans 8:14-17 John 14:8-17, 25-27

Diocesan Ordinations of a Deacon and Priests Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA June 7, 2025   Isiah 6:1-8 Psalm 43 Ephesians 4-7, 11-16 John 6:35-38

Diocesan Ordinations of a Deacon and Priests Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA June 7, 2025 Isiah 6:1-8 Psalm 43 Ephesians 4-7, 11-16 John 6:35-38

Diocesan Ordinations of a Deacon and Priests Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA June 7, 2025 Isiah 6:1-8 Psalm 43 Ephesians 4-7, 11-16 John 6:35-38

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco June 1, 2025 - 6 p.m. Pride Mass   1 Corinthians 29:14b-19 Psalm 84 John 21:15-24

“And let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift” (Rev. 22).   Acts 16:16-34 Psalm 97 Rev. 22:12-14,16-17,20-21 John 17:20-26

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA The Sixth Sunday of Easter, 11 a.m. Eucharist May 25, 2025   Acts 16:9-15 Psalm 67 Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 John 14:23-29

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F16 5 Easter (Year C) RCL 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 18 May 2025 | Bay to Breakers   Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1-6 John 13:31-35   Most holy God, make all things new. Make all things new, beginning with us. Amen.   “People don't realize how a [person's] whole life can be changed by one book.” I came across this sentence at the age of twenty-two in a book that changed my life, The Autobiography of Malcolm X. I put on his worldview like a pair of reading glasses that suddenly brought the truth about our society into focus. Tomorrow we celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of his birth at a historical moment when his teachings could hardly be more important.   Our Acts passage concludes with Luke writing, “God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11). How can we too experience this “repentance that leads to life?” The Greek word for repentance is metanoia. It means a change in our nous, the very core of our being, in the very worldview that guides our decisions. All our readings today describe new life, a new pattern for human relationships, a new creation, even a new heaven and earth.

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco The Fourth Sunday in Easter, Mother's Day May 11, 2025   Acts 9:36-43 Psalm 23 Revelation 7:9-17 John 10:22-30

Th​is sermon explores what makes a true movement leader, building from the gospel passage from John 21 and scholarship of Raymond Brown. Love, vicarious authority, and sacrifice emerge as the Christlike qualities needed—not only in the church but in social movements today. From Occupy to Black Lives Matter, we see the power and risk of decentralized movements. Our call as people of faith is to recognize, support, and embody leadership that is loving, accountable, and willing to sacrifice for the common good.   Easter 3C RCL: • Acts 9:1-6,(7-20) • Psalm 30 • Revelation 5:11-14 • John 21:1-19

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F13 Easter Sunday (Year C) 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 20 April 2025   Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1,2,14-24 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 Luke 24:1-12

In this sermon, the Rev. Canon Anna E. Rossi explores the profound theological and emotional struggle to find meaning and God's presence amid suffering and atrocity, using the lens of the aftermath of the Shoah (Holocaust.) In all circumstances, even in the face of overwhelming evil, there is a human impulse to seek understanding through faith. The message affirms God's presence not in power or escape, but in solidarity with suffering —  applying Jewish feminist theologian Melissa Rafael's assertion that God is in the ashes.” Through the crucifixion, it portrays divine compassion and calls the faithful to witness, serve, and love amid injustice, embodying Christ's presence in a wounded world.

The Rev. Canon Mary Carter Greene Grace Cathedral, San Francisco   Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 116:1, 10-17  1 Corinthians 1:23-26 John 13:1-17,31b-35

Clergy and laity of the diocese gather to renew their vows of ordination and services in a beautiful Holy Week liturgy with the Rt. Rev. Austin Keith Rios, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California, preaching and presiding. This year, we will joyfully install the Very Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge as Dean of the San Francisco Deanery. Further, Oil of Chrism is consecrated in the midst of the liturgy, and healing oil blessed. Oils will be made available to the congregations of the diocese, and containers will be provided.

In her Palm Sunday homily, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde reflects on the tension between purposeful action and humble acceptance, using Jesus' journey to the cross as a model of courageous surrender. She draws on Scripture, the Serenity Prayer, and personal experience to explore how we are called to live with intention even when faced with hardship or circumstances beyond our control. Jesus' deliberate path into Jerusalem and his ultimate acceptance of suffering illustrate a profound trust in God—not passivity, but a love-rooted surrender that brings strength and freedom. Budde invites listeners to open their hearts during Holy Week, to name their struggles honestly, and to find grace in the stillness, the silence, and the shared journey with Christ through whatever cannot be changed.

The intensive sensory experience of today's Gospel might obscure the context of a meal. This is especially poignant in a gospel that has no institution narrative, but offers a rich Eucharistic interpretation through themes of memory, community, and ethics. Mary's act of anointing Jesus symbolizes memory, recalling Jesus' command to remember Him. The community aspect is highlighted by Mary's role as a full disciple, reversing social hierarchies. The ethical message challenges Judas' insincere concern for the poor, urging the community to embody Christ's love in service to the world. Isaiah 43:16-21 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8 Psalm 126 Lent 5C

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco March 30, 2025   Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke15:1-3, 11b-32

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F12 3 Lent (Year C) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 23 March 2025   Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9   The time has come to change your life. Alex Ross writes about a sound and light installation by the composer John Luther Adams (1953-) at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. It is called The Place Where You Go to Listen. The title refers to Naalagiagvik, a beach on the Arctic Ocean, where a particular Inupiaq woman could hear and understand the voices of whales, birds, other creatures and even the whole planet around her.   “O God… my soul clings to you; your right hand holds me fast” (Ps. 63).

March 16, 2025 The Second Sunday in Lent   Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F10                                            1 Lent (Year C) 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Eucharist                                      Sunday 9 March 2025 | Litany of Penitence                                          Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13   Are you living your real life? Or are you merely trying to avoid or dull the pain of existing? So much is at stake these days. And because we are involved there is no simple answer.   We give this holy instant to you O God. Guide us as we follow, certain your direction will lead us into peace. Amen. [i] [i] Based on Norwood Pratt's prayer. “This holy instant I would give to you. Be you in charge this day. I would follow you certain your direction gives me peace. Create in me a clean heart O Lord and renew a right spirit within me” 6 March 2025.

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F9 Ash Wednesday 12:00 p.m. Eucharist Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 103:8-14 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

The Last Sunday After the Epiphany Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA   “Enter eagerly into the treasure house that is within you, and you will see the things that are in heaven.”Amen   Exodus 34: 29-35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3: 12-4: 2 Luke 9: 28-36

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F7 7 Epiphany (Year C) 8:30 and 11 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 23 February 2025   Genesis 45:3-11, 15 Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50 Luke 6:27-38   In these days of enmity how shall we live? This sermon is about the good news that even today we can live with grace and joy.   “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Lk. 6).

Cathedral , San Francisco, CA 16 February 2025   Jeremiah 17:5-10 Psalm 1 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 Luke 6:17-25

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F5 5 Epiphany (Year C) 11:00 a.m. Eucharist Sunday 9 February 2025   ​Isaiah 6:1-8 ​Psalm 138 ​1 Corinthians 15:1-11 ​Luke 5:1-11 “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets… do not be afraid (Lk. 5).” This week with great emotion my friend Erin said to a group of us, “What do I do?” I take this to mean, “In the midst of unprecedented political turmoil (for instance, when USAID has ceased to exist), how do we respond to the fear surrounding us?”    

​Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA 2F4​ The Feast of the Presentation 11 a.m. Eucharist​ Sunday 2 February 2025 | Displacing 4 Epiphany ​ Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 24:7-10 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40   What exactly is a sermon? What are we doing together and what do we hope happens? This might seem like an unimportant question to ask. In the last two weeks 1500 January 6 rioters were pardoned or had their sentences commuted and many wonder if right-wing militias now regard themselves as immune to prosecution. $3 trillion dollars in federal grants were frozen and then unfrozen. A letter went out to 2 million federal employees (twice) asking them to resign. Hundreds of other government employees including civil servants at the highest level of our justice system have been fired. 25% tariffs are being imposed on our closest neighbors and trading partners. We see preparations for mass deportations. We hear ominously repeated phrases like,“defending women from gender ideology extremism,” and, “restoring biological truth to the federal government.” The trans people in our congregation, among our clergy, and across the land are being singled out, when they are just the sort of humans Jesus loved the most and sought to defend. “O God we long for your truth. Let your spirit help us to understand what we believe.”

Bishop of California The Third Sunday after the Epiphany Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA January 26, 2025   Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19 1 Corinthians 12:12-13a Luke 4:14-21