Around 1600, Caravaggio painted the moment for a church in Rome: a shaft of light falling across a dim room, Jesus pointing, and Matthew at a table of coins pointing to himself as if to say, “Me?” Pope Francis has said he often went to look at that painting as a priest in Rome. His motto as bishop and pope, miserando atque eligendo, “by having mercy and by choosing,” comes from St Bede’s homily on Matthew’s call.
Historical Context
A Prayer to St Matthew
St Matthew, Jesus called you when everyone else had written you off.
You left your money on the table and followed him.
Pray for me when I feel unworthy of God’s call.
Help me let go of whatever I’m holding on to too tightly,
and follow Jesus with my whole life.
Amen.
For Accountants and Bankers
St Matthew, patron of those who work with money,
pray that I may be honest, careful and fair,
and never let money become my master.
Amen.
For Those Who Feel Unworthy
Lord, you came to call sinners, not the righteous.
That means you’re calling me.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On 21 September, his feast.
- During tax season.
- When you feel too far gone for God to want you.
Scripture Connection
“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” — Matthew 9:9
Matthew tells his own call in a single verse. No hesitation, no explanation. When Jesus calls, the right response is to get up.
Related prayers
For the other evangelists, see the St Mark Prayer and Prayer to St Luke. For another apostle, the St Andrew Prayer.