Sermons

Below you can find transcripts of sermons our clergy and guest preachers have given at recent Abbey services. They deal with current theological issues, religion and world events, and the interpretation of biblical texts.

Where possible, we provide an audio and video recording of the sermon.

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the First Sunday of Lent 2024

‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologiand and Almoner

Sunday, 18th February 2024

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on Racial Justice Sunday 2024

Let us begin and finish with glory.

The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby GCVO Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan

Sunday, 11th February 2024

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday before Lent 2024

In the first few lines of John’s gospel, I hope anyone would find ideas that are gripping and enticing.

The Reverend Mark Birch MVO

Sunday, 4th February 2024

Sermon preached at Evensong on the Baptism of Christ 2024

Returning from Bethlehem.

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 7th January 2024

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Baptism of Christ 2024

The Baptism of Jesus by John in the River Jordan is one of the most important stories in the New Testament.

The Reverend Ralph Godsall Minor Canon

Sunday, 7th January 2024

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist of the Feast of the Epiphany 2024

The challenge for the Church is to acknowledge, to welcome, the insight of outsiders.

The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor

Saturday, 6th January 2024

Sermon Christmas Day 2023

In the beginning was the Word.

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster

Monday, 25th December 2023

Sermon preached at the First Eucharist of Christmas 2023

The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is not a myth.

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologian and Almoner

Sunday, 24th December 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday of Advent 2023

John Baptist’s voice came from the edge, not from the centre of power.

The Reverend Ralph Godsall Minor Canon

Sunday, 10th December 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the feast of Christ the King 2023

Today is a summons to believe in God, not ourselves.

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 26th November 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday before Advent 2023

Where is the violence we see and sometimes experience actually coming from?

The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor

Sunday, 19th November 2023

Sermon preached at Evensong on the Third Sunday before Advent 2023

What kind of a nation are we and what direction do we want to move in?

The Right Reverend Anthony Ball Canon in Residence

Sunday, 12th November 2023

Sermon preached at Evensong on the Fourth Sunday before Advent 2023

Naming God

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 5th November 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday before Advent 2023

Many of us don’t love ourselves nearly enough.

The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor

Sunday, 5th November 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on All Saints' Day 2023

God will wipe away every tear.

His Excellency The Most Reverend Bashar Matti Warda Archbishop of Erbil of the Chaldeans

Wednesday, 1st November 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Twentieth Sunday after Trinity 2023

If we wish to be seen as virtuous, then we should commit to a life of virtue.

The Reverend Robert Latham Sacrist

Sunday, 22nd October 2023

Sermon preached at Evensong of the feast of the Dedication of Westminster Abbey, 2023

May we hold onto the perspective of the heavenly city as we seek the peace and prosperity of our city.

The Right Reverend Dr Joanne Grenfell Bishop of Stepney, Diocese of London

Sunday, 15th October 2023

Sermon preached on the feast of the Translation of St Edward the Confessor, 2023

This is an astonishing place, and today we honour the Saint whose gift it is.

The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor

Friday, 13th October 2023

Sermon preached at Evensong on the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity 2023

Discerning the will of God for our lives and obeying God’s commandments.

The Right Reverend Anthony Ball Canon in Residence

Sunday, 8th October 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist with Inauguration of St Margaret's Choristers

This is wonderful, but it is also a little awkward.

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 1st October 2023

Sermon given at a Sung Eucharist on the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity 2023

Looking for just one thing.

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 1st October 2023

Sermon preached at Eucharist with Ordination and Consecration 2023

St Michael and All Angels Genesis 28: 10–17

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle

Friday, 29th September 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity 2023

How will you engage in community with others in the Church?

The Reverend David Stanton Sub-Dean and Canon Treasurer

Sunday, 3rd September 2023

Sermon preached at Evensong on the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity 2023

'Let your gentleness be known to everyone.'

The Reverend David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 27th August 2023

Sermon preached at Evensong on the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 2023

Humanitarianism is fundamental to the Christian faith.

The Reverend David Stanton Canon in Residence

Sunday, 20th August 2023

Sermon given at the Sung Eucharist on the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity 2023

There is no gap or limit to God’s mercy.

The Reverend Ralph Godsall Priest Vicar

Sunday, 20th August 2023

Sermon preached at Evensong on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity 2023

The dungeon shook and my chains fell off; I’m gonna grieve my Lord no more.

The Right Honourable The Lord Boateng CVO PC DL

Sunday, 30th July 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Eighth Sunday after Trinity 2023

Our life and our work can be given the dignity of revealing something of the kingdom of heaven.

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologian and Almoner

Sunday, 30th July 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Seventh Sunday after Trinity 2023

The sower has sown good seed in his field and looks forward to a good harvest.

The Reverend Prebendary Dr Tony Kyriakides Priest Vicar

Sunday, 23rd July 2023

Sermon preached at the Festival of St Margaret of Antioch 2023

God is with us in our trials and tribulations and will ultimately uphold the righteous.

The Reverend Ralph Godsall Priest Vicar

Thursday, 20th July 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the First Sunday after Trinity 2023

‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’

The Reverend Justin White Priest Vicar

Sunday, 11th June 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist of Trinity Sunday 2023

‘Firmly I believe and truly, God is three and God is one’

The Reverend David Stanton Sub-Dean and Canon Treasurer

Sunday, 4th June 2023

The Sermon preached on the Day of Pentecost 2023

The Holy Spirit is the invitation to all people, in all their diversity, to share in the Power of all our powers.

The Reverend Mark Birch MVO Precentor

Sunday, 28th May 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2023

Hope and Despair

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 21st May 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on Ascension Day 2023

Ascension Day declares the primary task of the Church universal, its true vocation.

The Reverend Ralph Godsall Priest Vicar

Thursday, 18th May 2023

Sermon preached at the Sung Eucharist on the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2023

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments.’

The Reverend Robert Latham Sacrist

Sunday, 14th May 2023

The Sermon preached at the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

We are here to crown a King, and we crown a King to serve.

The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan

Saturday, 6th May 2023

Homily given at Holy Communion on the Third Sunday of Easter 2023

Today is the day we traditionally honour St George.

The Venerable Tricia Hillas Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster

Sunday, 23rd April 2023

Sermon given at Evensong on the Second Sunday of Easter 2023

The end of today’s second reading is perhaps the finest cliffhanger in history.

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 16th April 2023

Sermon given at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday of Easter 2023

Peace be with you.

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster

Sunday, 16th April 2023

Sermon given at the Sung Eucharist on Easter Day 2023

Every broken fragment can now know healing in the light of Easter.

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon Theologian and Almoner

Sunday, 9th April 2023

Sermon given at the Solemn Liturgy on Good Friday 2023

We must see man and God.

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster

Friday, 7th April 2023

Sermon given at the Sung Eucharist on Ash Wednesday 2023

We do not easily use the words provided.

The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE Dean of Westminster

Wednesday, 22nd February 2023

Sermon given at Matins on the Second Sunday before Lent 2023

Let anyone with ears to hear—listen!

The Reverend Prebendary Dr Tony Kyriakides Priest Vicar

Sunday, 12th February 2023

Sermon given at Evensong on the Third Sunday before Lent 2023

Scripture is full of strange phrases.

The Reverend Dr James Hawkey Canon in Residence

Sunday, 5th February 2023

Sermon given at the Sung Eucharist of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple 2023

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

The Reverend Mark Birch Precentor

Thursday, 2nd February 2023

Sermon given at the Sung Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany 2023

Poverty was turned to riches, sorrow into joy.

The Right Reverend Anthony Ball Canon Rector

Sunday, 29th January 2023

Sermon given at the Sung Eucharist on the Baptism of Christ 2023

We, the Church, have been entrusted with a message to rebalance our brains, and save our souls.

The Reverend Mark Birch Precentor

Sunday, 8th January 2023

Sermon given at the Sung Eucharist on the Second Sunday of Christmas 2023

A reflection on a much-overlooked part of the Christmas story from the Gospel of Matthew that encourages us to live as children of light in the world.

The Reverend Robert Latham Sacrist

Sunday, 1st January 2023