Sep-21 Feast of St Matthew the Apostle
September 21: Feast of St Matthew the Apostle St. Matthew the apostle, was the son of Alpheus, most likely born a Levite. He worked in Capernaum as a tax collector for Herod Antipas, collecting taxes from his fellow Jews. Many tax collectors cheated the people by charging more taxes than required and keeping the extra money for themselves. The Jews therefore considered tax collectors to be traitors and ostracised them as sinners. Jesus however knew in his heart that Matthew was not a sinner or a cheat, so when Jesus said to him "Follow me", Matthew left all immediately to become an apostle. Jesus went to dine at the house of Matthew. The Pharisees and Scribes were shocked that Jesus was dining with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus offered a very good answer and said, “ Those who are well, do not need a physician, but the sick do . Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners .” (Matthew 9:9–1...