Today the Church remembers St. Mathew the Apostle and Evangelist (on my birthday September 21st). You probably know Matthew best for the stories of him in the Gospels. Matthew was a tax collector who was sitting outside the city of Capernaum when Jesus asked him to follow him. Matthew left his life behind and become one of the 12 disciples who lived and moved with Jesus during his earthly ministry.
Tradition also tells us that Matthew wrote the first Gospel in the New Testament, although this is something Scholars debate.
What you need to know about Matthew
- He was a tax collector for the Roman Empire, something that could make you rich, but hated.
- He joined Jesus in his earthly ministry.
- He is traditionally associated with the Gospel of Matthew
- This Gospel is represented by the image of a MAN
- No one knows how he died for sure, but tradition tells us he died a martyr, some say he was burned, others say he was stoned, still more argue he was beheaded. There is even ancient testimony that he died a natural death.
- He is said to have preached the Gospel to the Ethiopians, Macedonians, Persians, and Parthians
- His rejection of the Earthly Empire for the Kingdom of God is one that is both inspirational and incredible
In closing I would like to include 2 passages from his Gospel which I personally don’t go a day without thinking about. If you haven’t memorized these yet do it. They are essential scriptures to know.
The Lord’s Prayer
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Πάτερ ἡμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐλθέτω ἡ βασιλεία σου· γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου, ὡς ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς·τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν τὸν ἐπιούσιον δὸς ἡμῖν σήμερον·
καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφίεμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν·καὶ μὴ εἰσενέγκῃς ἡμᾶς εἰς πειρασμόν, ἀλλὰ ῥῦσαι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ.[Ὅτι σοῦ ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία καὶ ἡ δύναμις καὶ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας. ἀμήν.] |
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. [For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.] Amen. |
Beatitudes
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makarioi oi ptwcoi tw pneumati, oti autwn estin h basileia twn ouranwn. makarioi oi penqounteV, oti autoi paraklhqhsontai. makarioi oi praeiV, oti autoi klhronomhsousin thn ghn. makarioi oi peinwnteV kai diywnteV thn dikaiosunhn, oti autoi cortasqhsontai. makarioi oi elehmoneV, oti autoi elehqhsontai. makarioi oi kaqaroi th kardia, oti autoi ton qeon oyontai. makarioi oi eirhnopoioi, oti autoi uioi qeou klhqhsontai. makarioi oi dediwgmenoi eneken dikaiosunhV, oti autwn estin h basileia twn ouranwn. makarioi este otan oneidiswsin umaV kai diwxwsin kai eipwsin pan ponhron kaq umwn yeudomenoieneken emou: cairete kai agalliasqe, oti o misqoV umwn poluV en toiV ouranoiV: outwV gar ediwxan touV profhtaV touV pro umwn.
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Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.
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