G. Cole Gruberth

Sermons and Bible Studies
In Christ Jesus, the Walls Come Down, Proper 11 (B) – 2012
We humans are great builders – towns and turbines, subways and satellites, farms and factories. We can take justifiable pride in these accomplishments, but too often we tend to do our building for all the wrong reasons. Remember the Genesis story of the Tower of Babel? Those builders achieved amazing things – they were on […]
It Sounds So Simple…, Epiphany 4 (A) – 2011
It sounds so simple: do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God. But on closer inspection, are these instructions really so simple after all? How can we be sure we are seeking God’s justice and not our own? How are we to love kindness and not merely like niceness? How do we walk in […]
Ding, Ding, Ding!, Proper 21 (A) – 2011
Ding, ding, ding! Round one goes to Jesus of Nazareth. That’s how we’re tempted to see exchanges between Jesus and the religious champions of his day – as theological boxing matches. In today’s gospel passage, the chief priests and elders throw out a cunning challenge, and Jesus sidesteps the attack and lands a one-two, question-dilemma […]
It’s Not Easy…, Easter 4 (A) – 2011
It’s not easy being called sheep. Sheep have become the symbol, in our culture, of mindless compliance with societal norms. Many an Internet commentator has delivered a withering, independent-minded diatribe against the unquestioning masses he derides as “sheeple.” Even if you’re comfortable with compliance, there’s also the bald fact that, as stated by the farmer […]
What Are We To Do…, Proper 27 (A) – 2008
What are we to do with Jesusâ parable of wise and foolish bridesmaids? Itâs not easy to be sympathetic with any of the characters here. The bridegroom sends out invitations, but shows up hours late himself and then shuts the door on half of the bridesmaids. Those maidens who get shut out are off trying […]
The Lion Shall Eat Straw…, Advent 2 (A) – 2007
There’s a T-Shirt…, Proper 20 (C) – 2007
Thereâs a T-shirt that perhaps youâve seen. It reads simply: âLove is for losers.â Now probably to the wearer, the phrase is only a humorous expression of teenage angst or rebellion. But set next to todayâs gospel reading, it suggests a different view of love, friendship, success, competition, and worth. If what we value most […]
Today’s Gospel Reading Doesn’t…, Proper 8 (C) – 2007
Todayâs gospel reading doesnât make Jesus look like a very good recruiter. Heâs turning away willing volunteers! Whatâs more, at first he seems to be discounting the value of home and family, the very things we hold most dear. âThe Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.â Does following Jesus really mean becoming […]
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