Our Lady of Guadalupe

Date: September, 21

St. Matthew is also known as Levi in the Gospels of Mark and Luke. Matthew is one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. As one of the four Gospel writers, Matthew is one of the four Evangelists.

Little is known about Saint Matthew, except that he was the son of Alpheus, and he was likely born in Galilee. He worked as a tax collector, which was a hated profession during the time of Christ. 

According to the Gospel, Matthew was working at a collection booth in Capernaum when Christ came to him and asked, “Follow me.” With this simple call, Matthew became a disciple of Christ.

• As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” ~Matthew 9:9–13

From Matthew we know of the many doings of Christ and the message Christ spread of salvation for all people who come to God through Him.

The Gospel account of Matthew tells the same story as that found in the other three Gospels, so scholars are certain of its authenticity. His book is the first of the four Gospels in the New Testament.

The Church celebrates the feast of this great Saint out of reverence for his role as an Apostle of Christ, his Gospel writings, and his work of evangelization.

PRAYER:

Saint Matthew, God called you and you responded immediately. The emptiness you felt within your soul could not be filled with money. When you encountered Christ, you left all behind to follow Him.

Please pray for me, that I will never hesitate in saying “Yes” to God’s call in my life, so that God can transform my life and use me as He wills. Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.