”Follow Me”

17Jan
Jesus went out again beside the lake; the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.
-Mark 2:13-14


How do we “follow” Jesus? 


Jesus had an incredible ability to invite people into his ministry. We read stories of people voluntarily dropping everything in their lives to follow a wandering prophet from Nazareth. 


What I find most intriguing is Jesus’ ability to capture the commitments of strangers without giving them an explanation of where they are going or what they will be doing. All they do is to hear his voice and they commit their unwavering devotion to his mission.


I wonder what I would do if Jesus asked me to drop everything I was doing and follow him. I wonder if I would be willing to give everything up and follow him. I wonder if I would be able to refrain from asking him clarifying questions or ask for permission to tidy up a few things before leaving everything I have known. 


When Jesus calls us - we are being invited to reflect. Sometimes, it means dropping everything around us and trusting his next steps for us. Other times it means taking a step back from our worlds and seeing ourselves as a part of something far greater than ourselves. Always, it is Christ giving us a radical invitation to bring forth the Kingdom of God. 


I pray we listen to the ways Jesus calls us to “follow” him. May we have peace in knowing that we are equipped with everything we need to do so. What a joy to know that our Christ wants us to be a part of this holy work. 


Musical Reflection - Just A Closer Walk - Patsy Cline and Willy Nelson


Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Letting GoSacrificeAcceptance

Posted by The Reverend Robert B. Hadzor

Bobby has served as the chaplain of Trinity Episcopal School since 2012 and as an Assisting Priest of Trinity Episcopal Church since 2018. He grew up in Dallas, Pennsylvania before moving to Franklin, Tennessee as a teenager. He attended Belmont University in Nashville where he graduated (2007) with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a minor in Philosophy.

Bobby attended Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina where he graduated (2010) with a Masters of Divinity and an Anglican Studies Certificate from Duke Divinity’s Anglican House of Studies. During his time in seminary, he joined the Episcopal Church and was confirmed (2009) at St. Joseph's Episcopal in Durham, North Carolina by then Bishop of North Carolina, The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry.

Following his work in seminary, Bobby moved to Boston where he worked for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. He spent a year working with the interfaith communities throughout the greater Boston area and raised awareness on topics pertaining to social justice issues. He was a faithful member of Boston's "Common Cathedral", an outdoor church that met in the Boston Common and served those experiencing homelessness in the city.

In 2011, Bobby moved to New Orleans and undertook a year of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE Certification) at East Jefferson General Hospital. While serving at EJGH, he became a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. In 2012, he began his Discernment for Ordained Ministry in the Diocese of Louisiana. In 2014, Bobby joined St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Metairie where he continued his spiritual growth and discernment process under the mentorship of The Very Reverend A.J. Heine, Jr.

Bobby was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on May 17, 2017, at St. Augustine’s. Later that year, Bobby was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests at Trinity Episcopal Church during a special school-day service that included the entire student body of Trinity Episcopal School.

Bobby married his wife Julie on January 6, 2018, at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans. Julie currently works for Tulane University’s Campus Planning Office. Bobby and Julie are avid travelers and are frequently planning, or preparing, for their next adventure in the world. They have made their home in New Orleans and enjoy participating in the numerous events of the city, including their favorite event of the year, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

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