Feast of Saint Matthew, apostle and evangelist
(Ephesians 4:1-7.11-13; Matthew 9:9-13)
In a very real sense today we celebrate two people – a
preacher and a writer. The preacher
Matthew is distinguished for having given up a lucrative career as a tax
collector. Somewhat like St. Francis of
Assisi, Matthew left his wealth to follow Jesus. Nothing more of substance is said of him in
the gospels except what we read in today’s passage. As an apostle, It is presumed that he gave
testimony to Christ’s resurrection and was martyred in the process.
Matthew, the evangelist, has left a marvelous legacy. His portrait of Jesus balances the human descendent
of David and the divine Son of God. He
describes Jesus not only as a wiseman but, more importantly, as an imperial lawgiver. His construction of Jesus’ five lengthy discourses
provides Christians with profound understanding of the moral life, church order,
and what to expect at the end of time.
We wonder about the accuracy of the gospels themselves when
we hear things like Matthew, the apostle, was probably not the same as Matthew,
the evangelist. Our concern probably reflects a resistance to embrace what is
really true, good, and holy. Both
Matthew, the apostle, and Matthew, the evangelist, knew better. Neither would harbor a doubt that Jesus’ company
is the only way of life that brings perfection and transcendence. Like the tax collector in today’s reading, we
should eagerly follow him.
