Honoring Saint Matthew: The Apostle and Author of the Gospel of Matthew

Saint Matthew, also known as Matthew the Apostle, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is the author of the Gospel of Matthew, which is one of the four gospels in the New Testament of the Bible. In the Gospel, he wrote about Jesus Christ’s life, ministry, and teachings. Matthew also recounts the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus preached about the Beatitudes, and the Parable of the Talents, where Jesus spoke about the consequences of not using the gifts God has given us. It is believed to have been written around 80-90 AD.

Saint Matthew is the patron saint of tax collectors, accountants, and bankers. This is likely because, before he became an apostle, Matthew was a tax collector for the Roman Empire.  According to the Bible, Saint Matthew was working as a tax collector when Jesus called him to become one of his disciples. Matthew left everything behind and followed Jesus, becoming one of his closest followers. 

Saint Matthew is believed to have died as a martyr, although the exact details of his death are not recorded in the Bible. He is traditionally believed to have been killed by sword. He was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church at an unknown date. The feast day of Saint Matthew is celebrated on September 21st in the Roman Catholic Church, and on November 16th in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Saint Matthew is one of the four evangelists, along with Mark, Luke, and John, whose symbols are used to represent the four gospel writers in Christian art and iconography. Saint Matthew is typically symbolized by a winged man or an angel.

His life is a testament to the power of faith and of trusting in God even in the face of uncertainty. He is an example of how we can use our gifts to glorify God and serve others.