What is the difference between a homily and sermon? I have read that only a bishop, priest or deacon can give a homily, but lay people can give a sermon. If this is true, can a lay person give a sermon during a weekday mass in place of the homily?

Dear Cole, A homily is a treatment of the Mass Readings, should be application of those readings. A sermon is not limited to the reading of the day, but may be delivered on most any religious topic. A lay person, to my knowledge, may deliver neither a homily nor sermon, but may give a talk on some particular area, e.g. social need, enrollment in a pious cause, at the cl0se of the liturgy. Fr. Bob Levis

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