Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - homily

 noun  (plural -lies)  Etymology: Middle English omelie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin homilia, from Late Greek, from Greek, conversation, discourse, from homilein to consort with, address, from homilos crowd, assembly; akin to Greek homos same — more at same  Date: 14th century  1. a usually short sermon  2. a lecture or discourse on or of a moral theme  3. an inspirational catchphrase; also platitude