Who was Matthew? Why did many Jews not recognize Jesus as the Messiah? What does the Gospel of Matthew say to us today? How does lectio divina move us to pray with Scripture?

The evangelist Matthew writes to a Jewish-Christian audience and teaches us that Christ fulfills the promises of the Old Testament. The inheritance of the Messiah belonged to the Israelite people; however, many Jews didn't recognize Jesus, which is why Gentiles made up a large portion of the early Christian converts.

Matthew's Gospel quotes the Old Testament as it speaks of the reign of God, the promise of eternal life, and Jesus' teaching of the twofold commandment to love God and neighbor. In The Gospel of Matthew, Father Bill Anderson's conversational instruction style brings Scripture to life, moving us to use God's Word in prayer through the spiritual discipline of lectio divina.

For more information on the Liguori Catholic Bible Study, visit liguoricatholicbiblestudy.com to learn more about this series and study resources.

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