Resonant preaching, sounding theosis: An exploration of liturgical homiletics

Abstract

Hartmut Rosa invites us to dream of resonant relations of all to the world. This paper will endeavour to envision what resonant relations would mean in the theological register of deification: God and the whole cosmos resonating with one another. If we allow ourselves to hear that vision for the whole of creation, could the humble soundings of liturgical preaching contribute to the vibrations of the world resonating within the rhythm of liturgical time, sacred place, sacramental presence, and holy people? On a very practical level, this article argues that for sermons to contribute to resonant relations being realised in the cosmos – for the whole cosmos to be divinised, sermons could be crafted for resonance. Within the pattern of the liturgy, as conceptualised by Lathrop and the scope of the liturgy delineated by Fagerberg, we will map out a tentative matrix for the mystery of meaningful resonance to reverberate in our homiletical craft.

Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This research facilitates conversation between a leading theory in the field of sociology and homiletics within the register of liturgical theology.