Although fifteen centuries old, this profound, luminous meditation of Matthew's gospel by the monk Philemon of Gaza speaks directly into the faith of today's reader. Philemon's meditations cover all four gospels; this translation from a French edition is the second to be published in English following the meditation on Mark.

As he continues in contemplative prayer, Philemon hears within himself the call of the gospel account, contemplates Jesus, adores the Trinity, but is constantly challenged by the failures of understanding and lack of faith in the disciples as though he was with them himself on the roads of Galilee or in the courts of the temple in Jerusalem.

The original translator of Philemon's manuscript, into French, was an anonymous, contemporary monk who entrusted his work to Daniel Bourguet, who in turn edited it, with the addition of helpful notes.