Born in the first century in Capernaum, Matthew is the son of Alpheus. He was literate and bilingual, fluent in Aramaic and Greek. But he is also a tax collector and as such considered by most, but especially the Pharisees, he is seen as a collaborator with the occupying Roman force and a great sinner. 

He was a part of Jewish society that the Pharisees absolutely hated. 

So, when Jesus sees Matthew at Mathew’s post and calls him to follow, it is a complete shock to the leaders of the Jewish community and they are outraged. 

To make it even more outrageous, Jesus and His followers attend a party at Matthew’s house, where all of his sinner Mathew’s sinner friends are present. 

It is certainly one of the main points the Pharisees will use to build a case to have Jesus killed. 

Matthew will go on to witness the rest of Jesus’ Life, His Resurrection, and help spread the word until he, himself, is martyred. 

But, why did Jesus pick Matthew in the first place? 

He must have known Matthew’s heart in a way only Jesus could. 

Of course, that’s true of all of us. Jesus always knows the true intention of our hearts, and He has called us to follow. 

St. Matthew the Apostle, please pray for us.