"The Inspiration of St. Matthew" by Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio (1573-1610)

St. Matthew's Inspiration St. Matthew, one of the twelve Apostles, is the author of the first Gospel. This has been the constant tradition of the Church and is confirmed by the Gospel itself. He was the son of Alpheus and was called to be an Apostle while sitting in the tax collectors place at Capernaum. Before his conversion he was a publican, i.e., a tax collector by profession.

"David with the Head of Goliath" by Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio (1573-1610)

Victory for David The people of Israel were at war with the Philistines. The Philistines had a giant soldier called Goliath. Goliath came out of the camp of the Philistines and shouted, "Send an Israelite to fight me. If he wins, our soldiers will be your slaves. If I win, your soldiers will be our slaves." A young shepherd boy named David said, "I will fight the giant. God has helped me to kill a bear and a lion that tried to eat my sheep. God will help me fight this giant, too." When Saul, the King of Israel, heard this, he said, "Go then, and God be with you." David then put a stone in his sling, ran toward Goliath and let the stone fly. The stone hit Goliath, and he fell. David took the giant's sword, killed him, and cut off his head, and then said "He came with a sword and spear, but I come in the name of the Lord."