Feast of Saint
Matthew, apostle and evangelist
(Ephesians 4:1-7.11-13; Matthew 9:9-13)
Nothing can be said about St. Matthew with certainty
besides that he composed a gospel. Today’s
gospel passage speaks of a tax-collector named Matthew being called by
Jesus. Evidently this tax-collector is
considered the evangelist because one tradition speaks of a certain Matthew as
a compiler of sayings about Jesus.
Whoever he (or perhaps she) was, the person is owed a great deal of
credit for the written legacy left.
Matthew’s gospel has prominence as the first work in the
New Testament. It has also been given
great attention by both Catholics and Protestants. Catholics see in it a testimony of the
primacy of St. Peter and his successors.
They quote Jesus telling Peter, “’…you are Peter and upon this rock I
will build my church.’” Protestants paradoxically find in Matthew reason to
eschew hierarchy. They cite Jesus saying to his disciples, “’Call no one on
earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.’”
We note in the first gospel the deepest reflection on the
Church. What stands out here is Jesus’
desire that his community serve one another as brothers and sisters. Members should be ready to forgive those who
stray from righteousness and even to seek them out. There should not be any grabbing for honors
among them. Quite the contrary, they
should be known for humility.
