What is a homily?

Answer

The term “homily” originates from Greek. “Holilos” means “crowd” or “assembly.” The verb form “homilein” translates to “to address.” Additionally, the Greek word “homilia” means “conversation.” Therefore, a homily involves addressing an assembly. Presently, the term homily is commonly used to describe a sermon or spiritual lesson. In contemporary seminaries, a homiletics course focuses on preaching.

Broadly speaking, a homily can be likened to a sermon, although there are distinct uses and nuances of the term. A sermon is a more general term for an address that may include doctrinal teaching. On the other hand, a homily typically refers to a concise message of a devotional, inspirational, or moral nature. In Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran services, the homily serves as a brief commentary to aid the congregation in understanding the passage read during the service.

The term homily can also describe a moralizing speech given by someone outside of a church service, similar to how “sermon” or “preach” can be used in non-ecclesiastical settings. For instance, a college student might express, “I dread going home on break because my dad will deliver a sermon about my long hair,” or, “My dad shared a homily on the significance of money management before I left for college.”

Ultimately, “homily” is a flexible term, often used interchangeably with “sermon.” If a Roman Catholic were to attend a traditional Protestant service, they might refer to the sermon as the homily.

In Protestant services, the preaching of the Word of God typically takes center stage, with sermons often lasting at least 30 minutes; some may extend to 45 minutes or nearly an hour. In Roman Catholic services, the focal point is the celebration of the Mass, and the shorter homily is just one of many components.If the service.