Fr. Scott Haynes
The Feast of St. Matthew, celebrated on September 21, is an opportunity to reflect on the life and teachings of this apostle and evangelist. As the author of one of the four canonical Gospels, St. Matthew holds a special place in the heart of the Church, offering profound theological insights and embodying virtues that Christians are called to emulate. This meditation will explore the theological significance of the Gospel of Matthew and the virtues St. Matthew exemplifies, drawing on the wisdom of the Church Fathers to deepen our understanding.
The Calling of Matthew: Humility and Conversion
The first striking virtue of St. Matthew is his humility, which is evident from his own account of his calling in Matthew 9:9:
"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So, he arose and followed Him."
This simple yet profound moment reveals a deep truth about conversion. St. Matthew was a tax collector, a profession despised by the Jews for its association with Roman oppression and corruption. Yet, when Christ called him, Matthew left behind not only his profession but also the worldly attachments and sins that went with it.
St. Jerome emphasizes Matthew’s humility in the way he recounts his own calling:
"He does not conceal his former life as a publican; thus, he shows the greatness of the grace he has received, for he was raised from a despicable station to the apostolic dignity" (Commentary on Matthew, 1.9).
St. Matthew’s willingness to leave everything behind to follow Christ demonstrates the transformative power of grace and the virtue of humility that allowed him to recognize the greatness of the One who called him.
St. Augustine, too, marvels at the conversion of Matthew, pointing out the immediacy of his response to Christ’s invitation:
"When Jesus called, he did not delay, nor did he make excuses, but immediately followed, leaving all his worldly possessions behind" (Sermon 29).
This rapid and unhesitating response reflects a profound openness to the divine will, a readiness to abandon self-interest for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Theological Significance of the Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew holds a special place in the Church’s liturgical and theological tradition. It is the first Gospel listed in the New Testament and is often regarded as the "Gospel of the Church" due to its emphasis on Christ’s fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies and the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Gospel presents Jesus as the new Moses, the one who gives the definitive Law, and as the Son of David, the rightful King of Israel. In this way, Matthew’s Gospel bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments, showing how the promises of God to Israel are fulfilled in Christ.
St. Irenaeus, writing in the second century, affirms the authority of the Gospel of Matthew by describing it as "written for the Hebrews," emphasizing its focus on the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Against Heresies 3.1.1). This highlights the importance of Matthew’s Gospel in demonstrating that Jesus is the Messiah who was foretold in the Scriptures, a theme that is woven throughout the entire narrative. As St. Augustine notes,
"Matthew’s Gospel begins with the genealogy of Christ, tracing His descent from David, thus showing that He is the promised King who was to come from the line of David" (Harmony of the Gospels 1.2).
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), one of the central teachings of Jesus recorded in the Gospel, is a profound theological treatise on the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. In this discourse, Jesus offers a radical reinterpretation of the Law, emphasizing interior transformation over external observance. St. John Chrysostom explains the significance of this teaching:
"He did not merely prohibit sinful actions, but He even forbade the desire of evil, cutting off its root in the heart" (Homilies on Matthew, 15.4).
Matthew’s Gospel, therefore, calls Christians to a higher standard of holiness, one that requires not only outward obedience but also an inner conformity to the will of God.
The Virtue of Obedience to Christ
One of the virtues that St. Matthew exemplifies is obedience. Throughout his Gospel, Matthew highlights the importance of obedience to Christ’s teachings, not merely as a duty but as the path to true freedom and fulfillment. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus compares those who hear His words and act on them to a wise man who builds his house on a rock. The foundation of obedience to Christ’s words ensures that the believer can withstand the trials and temptations of life.
St. Gregory the Great, in reflecting on this passage, notes that true obedience comes from a heart that is fully surrendered to God:
"The rock signifies the firmness of obedience, which rests on the foundation of faith. Those who hear the word of God and keep it build their house on the rock" (Homilies on the Gospels 11.3).
In this way, St. Matthew’s Gospel teaches that obedience is not simply about following rules but about aligning one’s life with the truth of God’s word, trusting that His commands lead to true life.
The Virtue of Mercy: "I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice"
Another key theme in Matthew’s Gospel is the virtue of mercy, encapsulated in the words of Jesus:
"I desire mercy, and not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13).
St. Matthew’s own life as a former tax collector and sinner who was called to be an apostle makes him a fitting evangelist to emphasize this message of mercy. Jesus’ willingness to eat with tax collectors and sinners, as recounted in Matthew 9:10-12, illustrates the boundless mercy of God, who seeks out the lost and brings them back into communion with Him.
St. Ambrose reflects on the significance of this passage, saying,
"Matthew, the tax collector, was called while sitting at the tax office, and the Lord showed mercy upon him, choosing him not because of his righteousness, but because of His own grace" (Ambrose, On Repentance, 2.3).
This demonstrates that God’s mercy is not earned but freely given, a truth that should inspire humility and gratitude in all who follow Christ.
In the same vein, St. Augustine underscores the importance of mercy in the Christian life:
"Mercy is the principal work of God, and He desires that we should imitate Him in this, for it is by mercy that we are saved" (Sermon 211).
Matthew’s Gospel continually reminds us that mercy lies at the heart of the Gospel message, calling us to extend the same mercy to others that we have received from God.
The Missionary Spirit of St. Matthew
The final chapter of Matthew’s Gospel contains the Great Commission, in which Jesus commands His disciples to
"go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).
This missionary mandate underscores the universal nature of the Gospel, which is meant to be proclaimed to all people, regardless of nationality or background.
St. Matthew himself embodies this missionary spirit, having left behind his former life to follow Christ and spread the Good News. Tradition holds that after preaching in Judea, Matthew traveled to various regions, including Ethiopia, where he was martyred for his faith. His willingness to lay down his life for the sake of the Gospel is a testament to his love for Christ and his commitment to the mission entrusted to him.
St. Cyril of Alexandria, commenting on the Great Commission, explains that the universality of the Gospel reflects the boundless love of God:
"Christ sent His disciples to preach to all nations because His mercy is not limited to one people but extends to the whole world" (Commentary on Matthew, 28.19).
St. Matthew’s life and Gospel invite us to share in this missionary spirit, spreading the message of God’s love and mercy to all we encounter.
Conclusion: The Virtues of St. Matthew
As we celebrate the Feast of St. Matthew, we are invited to reflect on the virtues he exemplifies: humility, obedience, mercy, and zeal for the Gospel. His life serves as a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. In his calling, we see the transformative power of Christ’s love, which can turn even the most unlikely individuals into His apostles.
The theological richness of Matthew’s Gospel continues to nourish the Church, offering profound insights into the nature of Christ’s Kingdom and the demands of discipleship. As we meditate on the words and example of St. Matthew, may we, too, respond to Christ’s call with humility, seek to live lives of obedient faith, and extend God’s mercy to others, confident that we are building our lives on the rock of His word. In doing so, we follow in the footsteps of St. Matthew, who heard the words "Follow Me" and left everything to follow the Master.
May we imitate his faith and devotion, and may his prayers lead us ever closer to the heart of Christ.
Notes
Jerome, Commentary on Matthew, trans. Thomas P. Scheck, in The Fathers of the Church: A New Translation, Vol. 117 (Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2008), p. 58.
Augustine, Sermon 29, in The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century, Part III: Sermons Vol. 2, trans. Edmund Hill, ed. John E. Rotelle (Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 1990), p. 115.
Irenaeus, Against Heresies, in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1, ed. Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1956), Book 3, Ch. 1, p. 414.
Augustine, Harmony of the Gospels, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 6, ed. Philip Schaff (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994), p. 72.
Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 10, ed. Philip Schaff (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994), Homily 15, p. 92.
Gregory the Great, Homilies on the Gospels, in Forty Gospel Homilies, trans. Dom David Hurst (Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 1990), Homily 11, p. 89.
Ambrose, On Repentance, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 10, ed. Philip Schaff and Henry Wace (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994), Book 2, Ch. 3, p. 340.
Augustine, Sermon 211, in The Works of Saint Augustine, Part III: Sermons, Vol. 6, trans. Edmund Hill, ed. John E. Rotelle (Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 1993), p. 275.
Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Matthew, in Ancient Christian Texts, ed. Joel C. Elowsky, trans. R. Payne Smith (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2013), p. 394.
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