FEAST: SEPTEMBER 21
St. Matthew was one of the twelve apostles and is widely considered to be the author of the first Gospel of the New Testament. Known as Levi, Matthew was a Jewish tax collector that Jesus called, and he immediately repented of his sinful ways and followed Jesus.
After Jesus’ death, it is said that St. Matthew was martyred in Egypt spreading the Good News of Jesus. Because Matthew was Jewish, his Gospel is meant to be read by someone who has a good understanding of the Old Testament (the Jewish scriptures). His Gospel highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of the Messiah that was promised to the Israelites.
