One of the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector prior to his conversion. In that role, Matthew was viewed as an agent of the enemy by those from whom he collected taxes. Many were surprised that Jesus would associate with a person considered to be a great sinner. But Jesus said, "I come to call not the righteous, but the sinners." When called by Him, Matthew left his job, his riches, his whole way of life to follow Jesus. His conversion was instantaneous and wholehearted. After Jesus' death and resurrection, Matthew preached the Gospel and established Christian communities in Palestine, Ethiopia, other parts of Africa, and Persia. He is believed to have drafted his Gospel between 41 and 50 AD. Written in Aramaic, his Gospel portrayed Jesus as the longed-for Messiah who fulfilled the words of the prophets. Records indicate Matthew died a martyr's death around 73 AD.
Matthew's name means gift of God. As one of the four writers of the Gospels, he is often portrayed with a winged man. As patron of tax collectors, accountants, bankers and financial officers, he can also be portrayed with a pen and money. Other patronages include customs officers, guards, security forces, and Salerno, Italy.
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Will Receive 1 St. Matthew Figurine
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Size:~ 3 Inch x 1.75 Inch
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Material: Polyresin
- Comes with prayer card
- Made in China
- Each one will be slightly different by size, shape, and appearance due to manufacturing!
Prayer card:
O St. Matthew, you left wealth, privilege and power to follow a poor carpenter from Nazareth. Your heart recognized Him as the Savior of the world. Help me to recognize Our Lord in the poor, the weak, the wrong, and the sinner. Help me to see the treasure in earthen vessels, and love them as He loved you. St. Matthew, you devoted the rest of your life to following Jesus, telling others about Him and writing about Him in our Gospel, which has brought the good news to the whole world. Pray for me, that I might leave behind what is not truly valuable and devote my life to following Jesus and spreading the Gospel through the example of my life. Help me to see that all true riches are only found in God. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
