It was a common, weak, joke when I was at 'vicar school'...

Question: what's the difference between a sermon and a homily?

Answer: About 15 minutes

One thing about using Zoom for services is that we have pared things back quite a bit - the feel of sitting at a screen with mics muted is very different from a Sunday when we are all in the same room, and brevity seems a good thing.

I am aiming for 5 - 7 minute 'reflections' - sermonettes, homilies, whatever they are called.  It's a new skill to learn, and a good one.  It forces me to focus on essentials and to move swiftly between general and specific.

My respect for those who are good are five minute homilies - on radio, in church, wherever - grows apace.  Anyone can waffle for 20 minutes, it takes real skill to say something in 5.