Year A: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 First Reading: Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6

Cyrus was not an Israelite, he came, in fact, from Persia. He was, however, seen as the Lord’s anointed because it was he who ended the Exile in Babylon and allowed the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple there.

Although Isaiah suggests that Cyrus does not know God, Cyrus’ own words as he allows the Jews to go home suggest otherwise.(see Chronicles 36:22-23 & Ezra 1:1-11). He speaks of the God of heaven who has appointed him ruler over the whole world and given him the responsibility of building the Temple for Him in Jerusalem.

In sending them home, he insisted that their neighbours provide any help they might need and gave back the Temple treasures that had been looted from the original Temple.

Isaiah sees that God has anointed Cyrus as king so that His people can return to their own land.

It is an example of how civil rulers can be used by God to enhance His plans for the world - and how He can even use foreign rule to protect His people.

For the Jews of Jesus’ time, it may be that Caesar was seen as a contemporary Cyrus - as protector of the Temple and religious freedom. The Romans, however, unlike Cyrus, would not have seen their rule as coming by the grace of God. Even when Jesus points out that Pilate only had power because it came from above, Pilate still cannot accept this and sees it as further proof of Jesus’ culpability.

In time, even the great Roman Empire was in ruins - yet God remains for He is the Lord, unrivalled and, apart from Him, all is nothing.

What does it mean for me?

What hope does this Reading hold for people suffering under oppressive regimes? How might you be being called to help to establish justice and peace on the earth?

Text © 2007 Wellspring

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