At the time that Jesus summoned him to follow Him, Matthew was a publican, that is, a tax-gatherer for the Romans. His profession was hateful to the Jews because it reminded them of their subjection; the publican, also, was regarded by the Pharisees as the typical sinner. Jesus let none of this stand in His way; in the Gospel it emerges clearly with what kindness and magnanimity He carried out His mission as Savior of mankind. St. Matthew is known to us principally as an Evangelist. He was the first to put down in writing our Lord’s teaching and the account of His life. His Gospel was written in Aramaic, the language that our Lord Himself spoke. St. Matthew’s name occurs among the Apostles, in the Canon of the Mass.