Today we celebrate our Patron Saint's feast. Each parish church is either given a name related to a person of the Trinity, or is under the protection of a patron, as is Saint Matthew's. But who was Matthew? First of all, he was a Jew who was a Roman tax agent. That means first that he was in employ of the occupying oppressive power and, therefore, considered a traitor by fellow-Jews. In that role, the agent was a sinner excluded by proper religious society. He also exactly in a profession in which the agent collected a prescribed level of tax and then above that charged whatever the market would bear. Thus, the tax agent was typically a rip-off artist who became wealthy at the expense of others.
Second, Matthew as a convert. While at his toll booth, he was visited by Jesus. Perhaps Matthew had come to realize the moral paucity of his calling and was ready for a change. In the event, he responded to Jesus' call by walking off the job and joining the band of preachers. What a change! During that evening, Jesus was criticized by religious professionals for dining with "outcasts" like Matthew. Jesus replies to criticism by analogizing that a doctor doesn't treat people who are well.
Third, Matthew was an evangelist. Bishop Papias (60 CE) wrote that Matthew had composed a logia, a book of sayings and teachings of Jesus in Hebrew. Although lost, that document is believed to have formed the core of the gospel issued in Matthew's name around the eighties of that first new century. Thus, he is honoured for preserving the Jesus tradition.
Finally, Matthew was a martyr. After converting many in Judaea, he went east and died for the Faith.
We may learn much from our Patron's example. He listened for a word from God, responded when that was received, redirecting the course of his life. Then, as he lived out his new relationship with God in Jesus, he shared it with others and accepted the risks and consequences of taking up his cross and following the Saviour. And so should we.
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