Hi everyone. We're continuing to look at the Gospel of Matthew, and our task on this podcast is to do a proper exegesis of the text.

What are the words actually saying on the literal level?

That's what we're all about in this podcast. And I know so many of you have benefited from this

approach. Many of you have written in to say how much you've learned from this podcast.

And welcome to those who are new as well. Hopefully you get a lot from this unique Catholic podcast, which is released every single day.

We look at the gospel readings from today's Mass, and we try to give you the tools to help you understand the text that we hear.

So Matthew chapter 14, verses 1 to 12 is our reading for today.

Here's the text.

Herod the Tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus and said to his court, this is John the Baptist himself. He has arisen from the dead, and that is why

miraculous powers are at work in him. Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison

because of Herodius, his brother Philip's wife. For John had told him, it is against the law

for you to have her. He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet.

Then, during the celebrations for Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodius danced before the company,

and so delighted Herod that he promised an oath to give her anything she asked.

Prompted by her mother, she said,

Give me John the Baptist's head here on a dish.

The king was distressed, but thinking of the oats he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered

it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison.

The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl who took it to her mother.

John's disciples came and took the body and buried it.

Then they went off to tell Jesus.

So we're at the start of Matthew chapter 14 here.

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