The Apostle Who Left Everything to Follow Christ
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Matthew, one of the twelve apostles and the author of the Gospel that bears his name. St. Matthew’s story is one of transformation, grace, and radical discipleship—an inspiring example for all of us as we seek to follow Christ more closely in our own lives.
Matthew’s Call: From Tax Collector to Apostle
St. Matthew’s background is striking. Before becoming an apostle, Matthew worked as a tax collector, a profession that was deeply despised by the Jewish people. Tax collectors were often seen as traitors who collaborated with the Roman occupiers and extorted money from their fellow Jews. They were considered unclean and shunned by society. But it was precisely in this context—while sitting at his tax booth—that Matthew encountered Jesus.
In the Gospel of Matthew 9:9, we read the simple yet profound moment of his calling: "As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him." With these few words, we see the power of Christ’s invitation. Matthew, leaving behind his lucrative profession and comfortable life, immediately responds to the call of Jesus. This moment reflects not only the authority of Christ’s voice but also the deep hunger in Matthew’s heart for something more than worldly wealth or success.
A Transformation of the Heart
What is remarkable about Matthew’s story is how quickly he responded to Christ’s call. There was no hesitation, no attempt to hold on to his old life. His decision to leave everything behind and follow Jesus shows the radical nature of true discipleship. It reminds us that when Jesus calls us, He asks for everything—not just a part of our lives, but a total and complete surrender to His will.
Matthew’s response also speaks to the grace of God. Despite being an outcast, despite the sins of his past, Jesus saw something in Matthew that others could not: the potential for a transformed heart. Jesus did not see Matthew as merely a tax collector, but as a disciple who could one day proclaim the Kingdom of God. This reminds us that no matter our past, no matter our weaknesses, Jesus looks at us with eyes of love and sees what we can become in Him.
A Gospel of Mercy and Mission
As the author of the Gospel that bears his name, Matthew gives us a unique perspective on the life and teachings of Jesus. His Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, showing that Christ is the long-awaited Messiah who brings salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. Matthew’s Gospel is also often called the "Gospel of the Church" because of its attention to the life of the Christian community and its focus on the mission of the apostles.
One of the most famous passages in Matthew’s Gospel is the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus presents the Beatitudes and teaches about the Kingdom of God. This passage is central to understanding the radical call to discipleship and the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom, where the poor, the meek, and the persecuted are blessed.
At the end of his Gospel, Matthew gives us the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), where Jesus commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations." This commission is the culmination of Matthew’s journey from sinner to saint, from tax collector to apostle. Having experienced the mercy of Christ himself, Matthew now passes on that message to the world: that through Jesus, we are all called to experience the mercy and grace of God and to share that good news with others.
Lessons from St. Matthew
St. Matthew’s life offers us several key lessons:
Jesus calls everyone: No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Just as Jesus called Matthew, a sinner and outcast, He calls each of us, no matter our past. Our sins do not disqualify us from becoming disciples of Christ—if we are willing to respond to His call, He will lead us to a life of grace and purpose.
Radical discipleship requires sacrifice: Matthew’s willingness to leave everything behind—his wealth, his profession, his old life—is a powerful example of the cost of following Jesus. True discipleship is not about convenience or comfort, but about surrendering all that we are to God’s will.
God transforms our weaknesses: Matthew’s transformation from tax collector to apostle reminds us that God can work through our weaknesses and failures. What others might see as disqualifications, God sees as opportunities for His grace to shine. Matthew became a great evangelist and missionary because he allowed Christ to change his heart.
The mission continues: As followers of Christ, we are called to live out the Great Commission that Matthew recorded in his Gospel. We, too, are sent out to share the good news of Jesus with the world, inviting others to experience the same mercy and love that we have received.
Conclusion: Following St. Matthew’s Example
As we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, we are reminded that the journey of faith is one of constant transformation and renewal. Like Matthew, we are called to leave behind our old selves and follow Christ with courage and trust. His life is a testament to the power of God’s grace to change hearts, and his Gospel continues to guide us in living out our mission as disciples.
St. Matthew, pray for us, that we may have the courage to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, to proclaim His love boldly, and to live lives of radical discipleship.
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