St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Wednesday, September 21, is the day set aside to remember St. Matthew, who was called "Levi" in the gospels of Mark and Luke.  He was a tax collector for the Roman government in Capernaum.  Tax collectors were distrusted because they were dishonest and worked as agents for a foreign ruler, the occupying Romans.  In the gospels, tax collectors are mentioned as sinful and despised outcasts, but it was these outcasts to whom Jesus showed his love.  Matthew's name means "gift of the Lord."  Since the second century, tradition has attributed the first gospel to him.  (Sundays and Seasons, p. 284.)