Saint Matthew, one of the Apostles who was chosen by Jesus, also known as Levi the tax collector, was an unlikely inspirational figure. He was a tax collector in Capernaum and worked for the government, collecting taxes for the Roman Empire. Many did not like people in this position. He was a controversial and disliked person. One day, as he was at his office, Jesus went to him and called, “Follow Me” (Matthew 9:13), and he just got up and followed Him.
And thus his story of discipleship continued. The same event is recorded in Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27–28.
He hosted a feast at his house for Jesus, which was not liked by many. They claimed that Jesus was entertaining or having meals with sinners. For this remark, Jesus replied, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
His transformation is an important example of how Jesus calls people regardless of their past.
He began preaching the Gospel only after the resurrection of Jesus. History claims that he did his missionary work in Persia. However, the details are uncertain and vary in reliability.
The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament, and it declares the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel. His important teachings include the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Great Commission. His main aim was to teach the Jews about salvation.
Saint Matthew’s traditional symbol is a winged man or an angel, representing the human nature of Christ.
Saint Matthew carries a powerful message: “No person’s past is beyond God’s call and forgiveness.” A man who was once an outsider, ignored and rejected because of his position, became an Apostle, Evangelist, and one of the principal witnesses to the life and teachings of Jesus.
The Church celebrates his feast on 21st September.
-Rosarito Coelho