St Matthew, also called Levi in some passages of the Gospels, was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. His life was marked by a profound transformation: from a despised tax collector, he became an evangelist and one of the pillars of the early Church. Matthew's story teaches us about God's mercy, conversion and the power of the Gospel message.

The profession of tax collector: a controversial situation

Before his encounter with Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector, or publican, for the Romans. This profession placed him in a delicate position within Jewish society. Tax collectors were often considered traitors by their fellow countrymen, because they worked for the Roman occupiers, and their profession was tainted by corruption and extortion. Publicans often had a reputation for collecting more than was required, enriching themselves at the expense of their fellow citizens.

Matthew plied his trade in Capernaum, a prosperous city on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, which was an important commercial centre at the time. His position probably enabled him to collect taxes from merchants and travellers passing through the region. However, because of his work for the Romans and the abuses often associated with his profession, he was frowned upon by the religious and social Jewish population.

The decisive encounter with Jesus

Matthew's life takes a radical turn when he meets Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew (9:9) relates that Jesus, passing by Matthew's office, simply said to him, "Follow me". This direct call from Jesus resonates with great power, for without hesitation Matthew gets up and follows him. This moment is crucial not only for Matthew, but also for Christian theology. Jesus, by calling a publican - a despised figure in society - makes it clear that his message is for everyone, even the most excluded sinners in society.

Matthew's immediate response to Jesus' call is significant. He leaves his office as a tax collector, abandoning a life that is probably comfortable but morally compromised, to follow a radically different path. This illustrates man's capacity to respond to divine grace, to abandon his past and embrace a new vocation.

After his conversion, Matthew organises a large banquet at his home, to which he invites Jesus as well as other publicans and sinners. The Pharisees, who witnessed the event, criticised Jesus for sharing the table with such people. Jesus responded with one of the most striking words of his ministry: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13). This passage shows not only Jesus' mercy, but also Matthew's central role in the mission to reach those who were considered outside the community of faith.

Matthew, the evangelist

After following Jesus, Matthew became one of his most faithful apostles. Although the Gospels do not record in detail his activity during Jesus' public ministry, he was one of the Twelve, present at the crucial moments in Jesus' life: the Last Supper, the Passion, the Resurrection and the mission after Pentecost.

St Matthew is best known for being the author of the first Gospel in the New Testament, which bears his name. The Gospel according to Matthew is a fundamental text for Christian tradition. Although its attribution to Matthew is sometimes disputed by modern historians, ancient ecclesiastical tradition attributes the writing of this text to him. According to tradition, Matthew wrote his Gospel mainly for a community of Christians of Jewish origin, which explains the particular emphasis placed on the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies in the life of Jesus. It seeks to show that Jesus is the Messiah awaited by the Jewish people.

The Gospel according to Matthew contains some of the most famous and fundamental passages of Christianity. In particular, it includes the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), a masterly summary of Jesus' moral and spiritual teaching. Matthew presents Jesus as a new Moses, giving a new law, not written on tablets of stone, but engraved in the hearts of believers.

Matthew's Gospel also places particular emphasis on the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies. Matthew frequently refers to the Hebrew Scriptures to show that the coming of Jesus was foretold by the prophets. This makes the link between the Jewish faith and the Christian message, and shows that Jesus is the fulfilment of God's promise to Israel.

Matthew's apostolate after Pentecost

After Pentecost, like the other apostles, Matthew set out on a mission to preach the Gospel. According to tradition, he evangelised several regions, including Ethiopia, Persia and Parthia. Some accounts claim that he also preached in Palestine before setting off on these distant missions. Although the precise details of his apostolate are difficult to confirm, the Church Fathers agree that Matthew travelled to spread the message of Jesus to pagan peoples.

There is also a tradition that Matthew was martyred for his faith. Some accounts claim that he was killed in Ethiopia while preaching the Gospel, although the details of his death remain unclear. This martyrdom, if authentic, testifies to Matthew's faithfulness to his mission, ready to give his life for the Christ he had chosen to follow.

The symbolism of Matthew in Christian art and tradition

In Christian art, Matthew is often depicted with a book or scroll, symbolising his role as evangelist and author of one of the four Gospels. Sometimes he is also depicted with a feather, a sign of his inspired writing. One of the most common symbols associated with Matthew is a winged angel or man, one of the four living creatures described in Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 1:10) and in the Apocalypse (Revelation 4:7). This symbol is used to represent the human and earthly dimension of Matthew's Gospel, which emphasises the humanity of Jesus and his role as the incarnate Messiah.

The feast of Saint Matthew is celebrated on 21 September in the Catholic Church. This day is a special opportunity to remember his conversion, his apostolate and his crucial role in the transmission of the Gospel.

Conclusion

St Matthew is an essential figure of Christianity, whose life and work continue to inspire millions of believers around the world. His journey from despised publican to apostle and evangelist is a living illustration of the power of divine grace and the possibility of redemption for all who accept God's call. Through his Gospel, Matthew leaves us a precious witness to the life and teaching of Jesus, inviting us to follow the path of faith with trust and fidelity.