This weekend, we hear about King Cyrus who is given the title of “the Great.”  The prophet Isaiah says that the Lord anointed Cyrus to subdue nations before him.   Let’s unpack a little of what we know about King Cyrus.

Cyrus was born about 600 B.C.  He became ruler of Persia around 559 B.C. and created the largest empire the ancient world had ever seen.  Through his conquests, Cyrus turned Persia into a powerhouse.  Around 550 B.C., Cyrus conquered the Medes.  Roughly four years later, he conquered Lydia (modern-day Turkey).   He then turned his attention to the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which was in a state of decline.

In 539 B.C., Cyrus marched on Babylon and defeated its army at Opis, after which the nearby city of Sippar surrendered without a fight.  Persian armies then entered Babylon with minimal bloodshed.  Cyrus was welcomed into the city during local festivities.  The Persian Empire spanned across Europe, Asia, and Africa, comprising around 44% of the world’s population at the time.  

King Cyrus used ingenious tactics to govern his vast empire.  For example, after conquering a kingdom he allowed local officials to retain their offices.  Additionally, unlike other ancient kings of his time, Cyrus had a policy of toleration for the cultural and religious practices of his conquered lands.  Local peoples could keep their own gods, rebuild destroyed temples, and freely practice their local customs.

In 538 B.C., Cyrus made a public declaration (sometimes called the Edict of Cyrus) allowing the exiled Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.  In our first reading today, notice that the prophet Isaiah refers to Cyrus as “anointed,” which was a very unusual description for a Gentile king.  In fact, Cyrus is the only non-Israelite ruler the Bible explicitly called God’s “anointed” or “messiah” (Is. 45:1).  God anointed Cyrus to execute a specific political and spiritual task.  Namely, to conquer Babylon, free the Jewish exiles from captivity, and commission the rebuilding of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem without demanding a price or ransom.      

From a Biblical perspective, the Lord works through the powerful, the mighty, the kings of the day, to accomplish His purposes.  In the world’s view, the mighty (e.g., emperors, kings, and world leaders) are in charge.  Realistically, God always remains in charge and works through world leaders (or around them when necessary) to build up His kingdom.

In our day, our country turns its attention every couple of years toward the elections of political leaders.  For some, elections are the most important moments in our nation’s history.  For others, there is great fear that if their candidates lose, the country and all of civilization may collapse.  To use apocalyptic language, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky (Mk 13:24).      

Of course, such mindsets are quite far from a Biblical perspective.  God works through leaders and sometimes around leaders to accomplish His will.  Our Lord builds His kingdom not so much through kings and presidents, but rather through the simple, the humble, and the faithful.  Every Christmas, we hear St. Luke’s Gospel that God worked through Caesar by calling for a census.  However, He worked much more intimately through a humble little couple from Nazareth, Mary and Joseph.  They are at the center stage, not Caesar.  God worked quietly through them to change the world forever with the Incarnation of the King of Kings, our Lord Jesus Christ.    

Are kings, emperors, presidents, governors, and representatives important?   Certainly, as they set the tone and establish policies that either help build up or tear down a culture and a country.   Do they have absolute power and therefore, should we place all our hopes in them?  Naturally, we all know the answer as experience and history have repeatedly proven that they will very often disappoint us.  Thankfully, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).  Our great King has promised that He will be with, lives in, and works through His Church whatever may come her way.  Our first reading is a great reminder that God always remains the engine that moves history, not secular rulers.   
       
As disciples of Christ, I encourage you to offer your prayers for those in political office and running for office.  I also encourage you to vote for those candidates whose hearts are closest to Christ and the teachings of our beautiful Catholic faith.  We hope and pray that those in charge of the secular realm might be anointed with clarity, prudence, courage, and wisdom as they protect the dignity of life and work toward the common good.  As God worked through King Cyrus, we ask that He bless and work through leaders around the world today as well.

                                                                      ~St. Thérèse, pray for us!