Ahomily (from Greek ὁμιλία,homilía) is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture,[1] giving the "public explanation of a sacred doctrine" or text. The works ofOrigen[2] andJohn Chrysostom (known asPaschal Homily)[3] are considered exemplary forms of Christian homily.[4]
InCatholic,Anglican,Lutheran, andEastern Orthodox churches, a homily is usually given duringMass (Divine Liturgy orHoly Qurbana for Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, andDivine Service for the Lutheran Church) at the end of theLiturgy of the Word. Many people consider it synonymous with asermon.[1]
TheEnglish word homily is derived from theAncient Greek word ὁμιλίαhomilia, which means intercourse or interaction with other people (derived from the wordhomilos, meaning "a gathering"). The word is used in1 Corinthians 15:33 ("wickedhomiliai corrupt good morals"). The related verb is used inLuke 24:14 (ashomiloun), and inActs 24:26 (ashomilei), both used in the sense of "speaking with". The word later came to have a more technical sense. According toThe Catholic Encyclopedia,Origen was the first to distinguish betweenlogos (sermo) andhomilia (tractatus).[5]
TheGeneral Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), the official document governing the celebration ofMass, states that:
65. The Homily is part of the Liturgy and is strongly recommended, for it is necessary for the nurturing of the Christian life. It should be an exposition of some aspect of the readings from Sacred Scripture or of another text from the Ordinary or from the Proper of theMass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the particular needs of the listeners.
ContemporaryProtestant clergy often use the term 'homily' to describe a shortsermon, such as one created for awedding orfuneral.[1]
In colloquial, non-religious, usage,homily often means a sermon concerning a practical matter, amoralizing lecture or admonition, or an inspirational saying orplatitude, but sermon is the more appropriate word in these cases.[1][6]
