Feast of Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (Tuesday of the First Week of Gracetide)

In the Timothean Rite, all saints days are celebrated in the Gracetide season to ensure the integrity of the Incarnation and Paschal Cycles of the Church Calendar. Over the next few weeks, on Tuesdays, we will be celebrating the Feasts of the four Evangelists. On the first Tuesday of Gracetide, we celebrate Matthew.

MATTHEW, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr
Red Vestments

Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, your Son our Savior called a despised tax collector to become his apostle and evangelist. Help us, like Matthew, to respond to the transforming call of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

First Reading: Ezekiel 2:8 – 3:11
Psalm: 19: 2-5
Second Reading: Ephesians 2: 4-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 9-13

Biography: Jesus called to Matthew saying, "Follow me," and Matthew stood up and followed Him, becoming one of the twelve apostles. As a tax collector, he was a social outcast, but Jesus welcomed him into the apostolic band. Matthew brought many of his former associates to meet Jesus, showing them that the love of the Messiah extended even to them.

The name "Matthew" means "gift of the Lord." Mark and Luke, in the story of his calling, name him "Levi." Perhaps Levi was his original name, and he received a new name from Jesus when he became a disciple. (It has also been suggested that he was simply a member of the tribe of Levi.)

The Scriptures are silent about Matthew's life after Pentecost. Later accounts of his life vary, some reporting that he was martyred, others that he died a natural death, but from the earliest time, the Church has commemorated him as a martyr.