Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
September 21, 2012
The Lord be with you
September 21 is the feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and
Evangelist. St. Matthew, also known as Levi, identifies himself as a former tax
collector, one who was therefore considered unclean, a public sinner, outcast
from the Jews. In general, tax collectors were despised for two reasons. First,
they were viewed as traitors, for they worked for the Romans. Second, they were
viewed as thieves. This was because of how the Romans “paid” their tax
collectors. Rome set the amount of
money a tax collector needed to raise, not what each individual owed. The tax
collector’s “pay” was what ever he collected above what the area owed Rome.
Many tax collectors collected far more than what was owed to Rome,
becoming wealthy, but earning additional ire from their fellow citizens. A
third typical facet of a tax collector’s life didn’t help their reputation. As
“good” people would not associate with them, their associates often came from the
despised of society. “Birds of a feather,” and all that type of thinking,
further solidified their position as public sinners.
Yet it was such a one as this whom the Lord Jesus called
away from his occupation and wealth to become a disciple (Matthew 9:9-13). Not
only did Matthew become a disciple of Jesus, he was also called and sent as one
of the Lord’s twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-4). In time, he became the
evangelist whose inspired record of the Gospel was granted first place in the
ordering of the New Testament. Among the four Gospels, Matthew’s portrays
Christ especially as the new and greater Moses, who graciously fulfills the Law
and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17) and
establishes a new covenant of salvation in and with His own blood (Matthew
26:27-28). Matthew’s Gospel is also well known and beloved for its record of
the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12); for the Sermon on the Mount, which includes
the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer (aka as the Our Father) (Matthew 5-7); and
for the institution of Holy Baptism and the most explicit revelation of the
Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:16-20).
Tradition is uncertain where his
final field of labor was and whether Matthew died naturally or a martyr’s
death. It is suggested that Matthew was the oldest of the apostles. Eusebius
(263-339 AD) says that after the ascension Matthew preached for fifteen years in Judea
and then went to foreign nations. Socrates Scholasticus (born around 280) says
he labored in Ethiopia;
Ambrose (330-397) sends him to Persia
and Isidore (560-636) to Macedonians, while others hold that he preached among
the Meds and Persians. Clement of Alexandria
(150-215) said that Matthew was a vegetarian. The Gnostic Heracleon (flourished
about 175) says that Matthew died a natural death, but no one else supports
this. Both Eastern and Western tradition hold that he was martyred, though how
is vague. It seems the most accepted view is that he was martyred by a sword,
or perhaps a spear, though the exact method is not revealed in the ancient
martyrologies, perhaps while preaching in Ethiopia.
In celebrating this festival, we give thanks to God that He
has mightily governed and protected His Holy Church through this man who was
called and sent by Christ to serve the sheep of His pastures with the Holy Gospel.
Collect for the
Festival of St. Matthew: O Son of God, our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, You
called Matthew the tax collector to be an apostle and evangelist. Through his
faithful and inspired witness, grant that we also may follow You, leaving behind
all covetous desires and love of riches; for You live and reign with the Father
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert
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