By Leon Bent –
Matthew the Apostle was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to Christian tradition, and one of the four Evangelists. His feast day is on September 21. Saint Matthew is the Patron Saint of: Accountants, Actors, Bankers, Bookkeepers and Tax Collectors.
Matthew was a Jew who worked for the occupying Roman forces, collecting taxes from other Jews. The Romans were not scrupulous about what the “tax farmers” got for themselves. Hence, the latter, known as “publicans,” were generally hated as traitors by their fellow Jews. The Pharisees lumped them with “sinners” (see Matthew 9:11-13). So, it was shocking for them to hear Jesus call such a man to be one of his intimate followers.
Matthew was a native of Cana, the scene of the wedding feast (Jn.2), at which Jesus performed his first miracle, of changing the water to wine. Jesus was travelling on the Mediterranean-Damascus road, when he came upon Matthew, who was stationed there in his inglorious pursuit. Standing at a lake near the city of Capernaum, Matthew’s gaze met the Lord’s and Jesus spoke to him, uttering only two words: “Follow me!”
The Apostle St. Matthew, evangelist of the first book of the New Testament, looked upon with such solemnity and reverence, that speaking of him as a man seems almost sacrilegious, so close to the divine was he considered. But, when Jesus came upon Matthew, he was a man who could scarcely be viewed with contempt by the human eye; the divine insight of Christ, however, saw, in this man whom he beckoned to his service that spark of greatness, invisible to the rest of the world. It is doubtful that Matthew himself was aware, of what lay dormant in him that, was to place him in the forefront of Christianity.
Thus, in most unceremonious fashion did the divinity of Christ assert itself, and an overwhelmed Matthew took up the cause of Christ, instantly. He was, no doubt, so overcome with emotion, at the majestic power of Jesus that he could not speak, but the communication between them was clear, and Matthew felt a resurgence of the spirit within him, and came to know the tranquillity that emanates from God.
After the crucifixion of Christ and his Resurrection, the inspiration of the Master was reaffirmed with renewed vigour at Pentecost, when all the apostles were enlightened and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Christianity owes its existence to the indomitable will and courage of the apostles, who surmounted great obstacles of disbelief, superstition, distrust and open hostility, in spreading the Gospel. Hence, Matthew is precisely what is prefixed to his name. A saint!
The Gospel of Matthew differs from the other Gospels, due to its heavily Jewish perspective. He also quotes the Old Testament far more than any of the other Gospel. He spends a great deal of time, pointing out references from the Torah present in Jesus’ teachings. It also contained five collections of teachings regarding Jesus’ commandments. Those teachings were about the law, mission, mystery, greatness, and future of Jesus’ Kingdom. The Gospel of Matthew also points out the Jewish apathy at the time, which prompted the spreading of the message to the gentiles.
Like the Gospel of Luke, the book begins with Jesus’ lineage. This genealogy is important to the Jews, as it is part of the fulfilment of Messianic prophecy. Yet, he did not dismiss the importance of salvation to the gentiles, and makes a point of showing that salvation is available to ALL Peoples.
Matthew’s job as a tax collector is also evident in his Gospel. He discusses ‘money’ far more in his Gospel than any other book, especially in the parable of the Talent.
Matthew’s, one might say, “quintessential message” to Christians, besides the Beatitudes (Mt.5:3-10), and the Our Father (Mt.6:9-13), is Jesus’ “Great Commission”: “Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Mt.28: 16-20). The call to evangelize is the heartbeat of Christian Discipleship!
Matthew preached the Gospel for many years after the death of Christ, travelling throughout the Holy Land, and finally meeting a martyr’s death at the hands of pagans in Ethiopia. His final verse is his epitaph. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I (Jesus) have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
And, this gold nugget! Daniel Webster understood the true foundation of greatness when he said, “A solemn and religious regard to spiritual and eternal things, is an indispensable element of all true greatness.”
And, this final flourish! After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to witness to the “Good News”, a holy and glorious calling!
Leon Bent is an ex-Seminarian and studied the Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Philosophy, from St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He holds Masters Degree in English Literature and Aesthetics. He has published three Books and have 20 on the anvil. He has two extensively “Researched” Volumes to his name: Hail Full of Grace and Matrimony: The Thousand Faces of Love. He won The Examiner, Silver Pen Award, 2000 for writing on Social Issues, the clincher being a Researched Article on Gypsies in India, published in an issue of the (worldwide circulation) Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, New Delhi. On April, 28, 2018, Leon received the Cardinal Ivan Dias Award for a research paper in Mariology.