the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these - Matthew 19:14

St. Matthew, also called St. Matthew the Evangelist, St. Matthew the Apostle, or Levi, (flourished 1st century CE, Palestine; Western feast day September 21, Eastern feast day November 16), one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and the traditional author of the first Synoptic Gospel.

According to Matthew 9:9 and Mark 2:14, Matthew was sitting by the customs house in Capernaum(near modern Almagor, Israel, on the Sea of Galilee) when Jesus called him into his company. Assuming that the identification of Matthew with Levi is correct, Matthew (probably meaning “Yahweh’s Gift”) would appear to be the Christian name of Levi (called by Mark “Levi the son of Alphaeus”), who had been employed as a tax collector in the service of Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. Because Levi’s occupation was one that earned distrust and contempt everywhere, the scribes of the Pharisees criticized Jesus on seeing him eat with tax collectors and sinners, whereupon Jesus answered, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:15–17). 

According to Luke 5:29, the aforementioned dinner was given by Levi in his house after his call.

Other than naming Matthew in the list of Apostles, usually pairing him with St. Thomas, the New Testament offers scanty and uncertain information about him. Outside the New Testament, a statement of importance about him is the passage from the Apostolic Father Papias of Hierapolis preserved by Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea: “So then Matthew composed the Oracles in the Hebrew language, and each one interpreted them as he could.” 

The Gospel According to Matthew was certainly written for a Jewish-Christian church in a strongly Jewish environment, but that this Matthew is definitely the Synoptic author is seriously doubted. Tradition notes his ministry in Judaea, after which he supposedly missioned to the East, suggesting Ethiopia and Persia. Legend differs as to the scene of his missions and as to whether he died a natural death or a martyr’s. Matthew’s relics were reputedly discovered in Salerno (Italy) in 1080. 

Presiding 

Reverend Harry Ching

Preaching

Reverend Moritz Drucker

Assisted by

Reverend Tim Heaney

For your Prayers

• Pray for St Christopher’s and St Paul’s Cathedrals, their people, their deans, their canons, and their clergy.
• Pray for the Retreats Ministry and the Diocesan Retreat House in Katafiyio, the running of group and individually guided retreats in the Diocese and Province, and the giving of spiritual direction. Pray for Maggie LeRoy and her ministry. Pray for all those who need refreshment, light and peace.
• Pray for the people of Kerala and neighbouring areas, for relief as they face the realities of destruction.
• Pray for Susan Ahart, recovering from an operation.

“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

First Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20

Psalm 54

Second Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a

Gospel: Mark 9: 30-37

Almighty God, You have made us for Yourself and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in You: pour Your love into our hearts and draw us to Yourself, and so bring us at last to Your heavenly city where we shall see You face to face; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with You.

This year’s Confirmation Service will be held at Christ Church Jebel Ali on Saturday 17th November. Confirmation classes will begin on the 21st of September.

Details are below:

September 21st & 28th, October 5th, 19th & 26th (if necessary), November 2nd, 9th and 16th (Rehearsal and make up).

All meet immediately after Church (11:15-noon).

We will be looking at Archbishop Rowan’s book, Being Disciples, and possibly his more recent writing Being Human. 

Please contact Rev’d Harry as soon as possible.