St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Saint Matthew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is best known for writing the first Gospel in the New Testament. Before following Jesus, he worked as a tax collector. In those times, tax collectors were often disliked because they worked for the Roman government.

One day, Jesus saw Matthew sitting at his tax booth and called him to follow. he immediately left his job and became one of Jesus’ closest followers. He witnessed Jesus’ teachings, miracles, and resurrection. This changed the course of his life.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Matthew traveled to spread the message of Jesus. He shared the Good News with many people. His Gospel focuses on Jesus as the Messiah and emphasizes His teachings.

Saint Matthew’s life shows the power of answering God’s call. He went from a tax collector to one of the great evangelists. His feast day is celebrated on September 21. He is the patron saint of tax collectors, bankers, and accountants.

Matthew was born in Galilee, a region in Israel. His Hebrew name was Levi. He worked as a tax collector in the city of Capernaum. Tax collectors were not liked by the Jewish people because they worked for the Roman rulers. Many saw them as traitors and sinners.

Matthew’s job was to collect money from his own people for the Roman Empire. This job made him wealthy, but it also made him an outcast. People looked down on him because tax collectors often took more money than they were supposed to.

Though Matthew was seen as a sinner, his life changed when Jesus called him. Matthew did not hesitate. He left his job behind to follow Jesus. This decision marked the start of his new life as an apostle.

Matthew’s call to follow Jesus happened in a simple, yet surprising way. He was sitting at his tax booth, doing his usual work. Jesus walked by and saw him. Instead of ignoring him, like most people did, Jesus looked at him and said, “Follow me.”

Matthew didn’t ask questions. He didn’t hesitate. He got up and left everything behind. This was a big step because being a tax collector had made him rich. But he knew that following Jesus was more important than money.

After Matthew became a disciple, he invited Jesus to his house for a meal. Other tax collectors and sinners came to eat with them. The religious leaders did not like this. They criticized Jesus for spending time with people they thought were unworthy. Jesus replied, “I have come to call sinners, not the righteous.” This shows that Jesus saw potential in him, despite his past.

His call reminds us that Jesus calls all people, even those who are looked down upon by society. He didn’t choose Matthew because he was perfect. He chose him because He saw a willing heart.

Matthew’s decision to follow Jesus changed his life forever. He went from being a tax collector to being an apostle who helped spread the Gospel. His story shows that anyone can be called to do great things for God.

After Jesus’ resurrection, Matthew took on a new mission. He became an evangelist, which means he spread the message of Jesus to others. He wanted everyone to know about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. He preached to both Jews and Gentiles, showing that Jesus came for all people.

He is best known for writing the first Gospel in the New Testament. It focuses on Jesus as the promised Messiah. He often refers to Old Testament prophecies, showing how Jesus fulfilled them. This helped the Jewish people understand that Jesus was the Savior they had been waiting for.

As an evangelist, Matthew focused on Jesus’ teachings. He included many of Jesus’ parables and sermons in his Gospel. One of the most famous parts of his Gospel is the Sermon on the Mount. In it, Jesus teaches about love, mercy, and how to live a holy life. The evangelist wanted to show that following Jesus was not just about rules, but about a new way of life.

This Gospel was meant to spread the Good News to the world. Through his writings, he shared the message of salvation with people far beyond Israel. His words have inspired Christians for centuries.

Learn more about the Gospel of Matthew

Saint Matthew’s work as an evangelist is a reminder of the power of sharing the Gospel. His mission didn’t end when Jesus ascended into heaven. He continued to preach and write so that others could come to know and follow Jesus.

After Jesus ascended, Matthew took the command to spread the Gospel seriously. He left his home and traveled to share the message of Jesus with people in other lands. Tradition says that he preached in many places, including Ethiopia, Persia, and parts of modern-day Turkey.

Matthew focused on bringing the Good News to people who had never heard about Jesus. He faced many challenges on his journeys. Traveling was difficult and dangerous. Many people rejected his message, and some even wanted to harm him. But he stayed committed to his mission.

In these distant lands, Matthew likely baptized new believers and started small Christian communities. His preaching brought hope and faith to people who had never known the love of Jesus. His missionary work helped spread Christianity beyond the Jewish people, showing that Jesus came for all nations.

Though we don’t know all the details of the evangelist’s travels, his efforts made a lasting impact. He played an important role in spreading the early Church. His work as a missionary continued the mission Jesus gave to the apostles.

Matthew’s missionary life shows us the importance of sharing our faith. He didn’t stay in one place but went out into the world to spread the Gospel. His example encourages us to share the message of Jesus with others, wherever we are.

Like most of the apostles, Matthew gave his life for his faith. Tradition says that he was martyred while preaching the Gospel. The exact details of his death are not clear. Some say he was killed in Ethiopia, while others say he was martyred in Persia or another region.

The people who opposed the message of Jesus likely saw Matthew as a threat. His preaching challenged their beliefs and customs. As a result, they chose to silence him. Despite the danger, this apostle did not stop preaching about Jesus, even when it cost him his life.

The fact that Matthew died for his faith shows how seriously he took his mission. He was willing to risk everything to share the Good News. Like the other apostles, he followed Jesus’ example of laying down his life for others.

His martyrdom reminds us that following Jesus sometimes requires great sacrifice. The apostles faced persecution, but they remained faithful. Their courage helped spread the Gospel to new lands.

Although Matthew’s life ended in martyrdom, his impact continued. His Gospel and his missionary work lived on, helping others come to know and follow Jesus. His witness as a martyr is still remembered and honored by Christians today.

Saint Matthew was never formally canonized because he lived during the early days of the Church. In those times, the Church did not have the process of canonization that exists today. Early Christians recognized him as a saint because of his life, his role as an apostle, and his martyrdom for the faith. His holiness and dedication to Jesus were clear to the early Church.

His feast day is celebrated on September 21. On this day, the Church remembers his life, his Gospel, and his missionary work. It is a time for Catholics to reflect on his call to follow Jesus and his example of spreading the Good News. Churches around the world honor him through special prayers and Masses.

Matthew is the patron saint of tax collectors, bankers, and accountants. This is because of his past work as a tax collector before becoming an apostle. People in these professions often ask for his intercession, seeking guidance in their work.

His legacy lives on through his Gospel. His writings have inspired Christians for centuries. The Gospel of Matthew is one of the most read books of the Bible and is often used in liturgy, especially for its clear teaching about Jesus’ life and mission.

In art, Saint Matthew is often shown with a book or a scroll, representing the Gospel he wrote. Sometimes he is also depicted with an angel or a winged man. This symbol is often used to represent him in religious artwork and iconography. The winged man represents the human nature of the evangelist and his gospel, which emphasizes Christ’s humanity and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet has a vision of four living creatures, each with four faces and four wings. One of these creatures is described as having the face of a man and the wings of an eagle. This vision is often associated with the four evangelists, and the winged man symbol is believed to be a representation of this vision of Ezekiel.

Saint Matthew’s life reminds us that anyone, no matter their past, can be called to follow Jesus. His legacy as an apostle, evangelist, and martyr continues to inspire believers today.

Called to Follow

Saint Matthew’s life reminds us that God calls everyone, no matter their background. He was a tax collector, someone many people disliked. But Jesus still chose him. This shows that God sees our potential, even when others don’t. His willingness to leave everything behind to follow Jesus shows how we are invited to trust in God’s plan for us.

Like Matthew, we might feel unworthy or unsure of God’s call. We may think our past mistakes are too big or that we don’t have what it takes to serve Him. But his story shows that God calls imperfect people. He calls those who are open and willing, even if they don’t feel ready. God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect; He meets us where we are.

Matthew also teaches us the importance of sharing our faith. After following Jesus, he didn’t keep the Good News to himself. He wrote a Gospel to help others know Jesus. We, too, are called to spread the message of Christ in our own ways. Whether it’s through our words, actions, or prayers, we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Finally, Matthew’s life is a reminder that following Jesus might require sacrifice. He left his job and security behind to follow a new path. We may also be called to let go of things that hold us back from truly following Christ. This could mean letting go of bad habits, fears, or distractions.

Reflection Questions:

1. What might God be calling you to leave behind in order to follow Him more fully?
2. How can you share your faith with others in your everyday life?
3. What can you learn from Matthew’s willingness to trust in Jesus’ call?

One Moment Can Change Everything

Saint Matthew was a tax collector—hated, distrusted, and lost in a corrupt system. But when Jesus said, “Follow me,” Matthew made one bold choice. That one Holy Moment changed his life forever.

You’re not stuck. You’re not too far gone. No matter your past, God is still inviting you forward. One choice can shift everything. One act of love, one step toward Jesus, one Holy Moment—and your life begins again. Just like Matthew, you’re one choice away from the future God dreams for you.

Becoming Normal

In his reflection for the Feast of Saint Matthew, Fr. Richard Ounsworth focuses on Matthew’s call to follow Jesus. He notes that while Matthew’s decision to leave his tax booth may have seemed dramatic, his life as a disciple likely became ordinary and routine over time.

Fr. Richard emphasizes that the Christian vocation often involves the mundane tasks of everyday life, yet it remains a call to share God’s mercy with the world. Like Matthew, we are invited to celebrate both our conversion and our mission to proclaim God’s love to others.

Expanding Our Circle of Trust

In a USCCB video reflection for the Feast of Saint Matthew, Paul Jerzembowski highlights how Jesus called Matthew, a tax collector, into His inner circle, despite being unpopular with the heavily taxed Galileans. This act showed Jesus’ desire to unite people from different backgrounds and perspectives.

Jerzembowski explains how the apostle’s call marks the beginning of the Church’s expansion, embracing diversity and forming a global faith community. He encourages us to follow Jesus’ example by widening our own circles and connecting with those outside of our immediate groups.

A Call to New Life

In his reflection for the Feast of Saint Matthew, Bishop Robert Barron describes Matthew’s conversion as a shift from spiritual death to life. Jesus’ call to “Follow me” highlights the primacy of grace, showing that we do not find God, but are found by Him. Matthew’s rising to follow Jesus symbolizes both conversion and elevation to a new, fuller life in God.

Bishop Barron emphasizes that discipleship means walking with Christ, living in a deeper and more meaningful way through our relationship with Him.

Just Follow the Lord

In this reflection for the Feast of St. Matthew, Matthew Kelly focuses on the simple and immediate response of Matthew the tax collector when Jesus called him to “Follow me.” Kelly highlights how inspiring it is that Matthew instantly rose and followed Jesus without hesitation. He contrasts this with how we often delay or resist God’s call in our own lives.

Kelly encourages us to follow the apostle’s example, responding to God’s invitation without excuses or resistance. When we feel called by God, we should stand up and follow Him boldly and faithfully, just as St. Matthew did.

Matthew’s Call and Our Resurrection

Bishop Robert Barron explains that Jesus’ call to Matthew, “Follow me,” means more than just hearing; it invites a complete transformation of life. Discipleship is about walking in Jesus’ footsteps and aligning our choices with His.

The word used for “got up” is the same for resurrection, symbolizing that following Jesus is like rising from death to a new, higher way of living. Conversion is like a resurrection, moving from a life that feels empty to one filled with true purpose.