St. Matthew the Apostle

Today, we honor and celebrate the feast of St. Matthew.

Matthew was one of the 12 main apostles of Jesus.

Although each of the Apostles had a unique story of their own calling

Matthew’s calling was particularly unique.

He was not a fisherman, a Pharisee, or a Saduccee. 

He was a Tax-Collector.

He worked for the Roman Government against his own people.

As a tax-collector, he wielded much power and authority.

He could take in more money that was necessary.

The people feared tax collectors

Because they could be handed over to Roman Authorities

And suffer severe punishment.

Tax Collectors were grouped in the class of big sinners.

When Jesus called Matthew to be part of the 12,

Matthew immediately left his customs post and followed.

After that, Matthew prepared a reception for the Lord.

He also invited his tax collector friends to join.

The Lord was ridiculed for being in the house of Matthew and his friends.

But Jesus responded: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  (Matthew 9).

Story:

It is believed that Matthew preached in Ethiopia.

He appointed Platon as a Bishop of Ethiopia.

Matthew also baptized the prince’s wife and son of the prince of Ethiopia.

The prince grew angry and dispatched soldiers to have Matthew arrested.

The soldiers did as the prince commanded.

But they returned to the prince and said:

“We heard Matthew’s voice, but we could not see him with our eyes.”

So the prince dispatched another group of soldiers to arrest Matthew.

But a similar thing happened.

When the soldiers approached Matthew,

Matthew shone with a heavenly light so powerful

That the soldiers could not even look at him.

They were overwhelmed with fear

They dropped their weapons and returned to the prince.

So the prince thought: “If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself.”

So the prince went to arrest Matthew himself.

When he saw Matthew, the prince of Ethiopia became blinded.

But Matthew had a compassionate heart.

He prayed that God would restore the eyes of the Prince.

And the prince received his sight once again.

One would think that after this experience,

The Prince would have a conversion of heart.

Instead, he was filled with such pride

He arrested Matthew and subjected him to cruel tortures.

Matthew was subjected to fire, and became a martyr for Jesus.

The prince commanded that Matthew’s body

Be placed in a lead coffin and thrown into the sea.

But Matthew’s spirit appeared to Bishop Platon

And told him where to find the coffin.

The Bishop retrieved the coffin from the sea.

When the Prince witnessed this miracle of finding the body of Matthew

He finally had a conversion of heart.

The prince became baptized and took the name Matthew.

The prince also became a priest and served the Church.

When the Bishop of Ethiopia died,

The prince became the Bishop of Ethiopia

And he served the Church faithfully until the day of his entry to heaven.

Matthew had an interesting conversation story.

He brought others to Christ through his compassion.

Because of his compassion, he also brought the prince of Ethiopia to Christ. 

He was a faithful follower and witness to Jesus. 

As an evangelist, he shared the story of Jesus to others.

Today, we honor him, we thank him, and we seek his intercession.

May our compassion to others also help people to know Christ and to love him.