St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

September 21, 2021

Dear Friends,

Here’s another historic festival of the church for you.

On September 21, the church remembers St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. This is the fellow who was called by Jesus while he sat at his tax collector’s booth (Mt. 9:9-13) and who wrote the Gospel of Matthew. You can see a depiction of his calling above by the late Italian Renaissance painter Caravaggio. Caravaggio was famous for his use of dramatic lighting, and you can see the effect in this painting. Jesus stands pointing from the right side of the painting with his hand in a similar gesture to Adam’s hand in Michaelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” (because Jesus is the new Adam?).

Jesus’ face is in shadow, but there’s light beaming in towards the men sitting at table. Their faces are aglow. It’s a little unclear which of them is Matthew, but we know that one of them is because Caravaggio titled the painting “The Calling of St. Matthew”. Which one do you think it is?

When we remember the saints of the church, we thank God for their faithfulness and their witness to the Gospel. Matthew left everything behind and followed Jesus, giving us an example the repentant life of a Christian. And then he recorded the details of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection so that you and I can also hear and believe. What a gift!

O Son of God, our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, You called Matthew the tax collector to be an apostle and evangelist. Through his faithful and inspired witness, grant that we also may follow You, leaving behind all covetous desires and love of riches; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

God bless and keep you,

Pr. Buchs

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