During this Liturgical Year we read and reflect upon the life and ministry of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew.  The original work was written in Aramaic (called Hebrew by the Greek fathers of the Church), and later extensively revised in Greek by an inspired editor.  The historian Eusebius wrote: “Matthew, who at first preached among the Hebrews, wrote down in his mother tongue the gospel which he had proclaimed.”  The author is identified as “the publican,” a professional tax collector.  In 9:9, he tells how Jesus called a publican from his customs post.  In Mark and Luke he is also known as Levi.  It is possible that Jesus gave the new apostle a new name, just as He did with Simon-Cephas.   

Matthew wrote the gospel especially for the converts from Judaism.  “Retaining the authentic Palestinian flavor, it breathes the air which Jesus breathed; it speaks with His accents, His rhythm; it portrays most accurately the customs and the manner of life of the people among whom He walked” (Cf. Fr. John Castelot). The author frequently interprets the events in Christ’s life in light and terms of the Old Testament prophecies.  Its main theme makes it clear that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of David, who's coming was foretold by the Jewish Scripture.  Rejected by His own people, especially their leaders, Jesus is portrayed as the Savior of all humankind.  The Lord lived, taught, died, and triumphed in Palestine; His heavenly Kingdom, open to Jew and Gentile, is to triumph throughout the world.   

As the Law of Moses was made up of five books, the Gospel of Matthew consists of five great discourses introduced by the same “refrain,” or a variant of it: “Jesus finished these words, and the crowd was astonished at His teaching” (7:28).  Just as the Old Law had been promulgated on Mount Sinai, so the New Law was given in the Sermon on the Mount.  The addition of the prologue and epilogue to the five central sections, gave Matthew a total of seven, the number which stood for perfection to the Semitic mentality. The five main discourses are: Sermon on the Mount; Disciples instructed to spread the Kingdom of God; True nature of the Kingdom; Christian community, the Church; Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Matthew’s style of composition is solemn and dynamic, and it presents Jesus as the true Messiah promised by the prophets.  Jesus’ Law is the perfection and fulfillment of the Law of Moses.  The Christian community inaugurated by Christ, is the Kingdom of Heaven portrayed in the Old Testament. Therefore, this gospel can be described as “The Gospel of Fulfillment.”