Learning the wisdom of Political responsibility

   "Thus, says the Lord, to his anointed Cyrus whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him and making kings run in his service." (Isaiah 45:1) The quote shows the honor this Persian king received from one of Israel's foremost prophets. Cyrus was exceptional, even for us today. At the end of the Babylonian captivity, this King approved and supported the return of the Jews to their homeland and the re-building of Jerusalem. No other secular king is singled out in Biblical literature and had done such for the Jewish people. He gained such respect that the ancient prophet Isaiah called him "God's anointed one." He promoted cultural and religious tolerance among the nations conquered by him. 
   The history of religions has always been inextricably linked with political, economic and social events affecting the world. For us Christians, we remember the words of Jesus: "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" His opponents were trying to trick him to give a contrary statement against the political establishment of the time. His response was "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." As believers, we do our best to be good citizens: we pay taxes, obey the laws, contribute to the common good and play our role in the political process. But we know as well, it is dangerous to canonize the State or any form of government. And should a conflict arise (as it frequently does) there is no doubt where our primary allegiance must lie. 
   All of us live in the human city, but as St. Augustine points out, our final destination is in the "City of God." Any authority does not derive its moral legitimacy from itself. Our goal is to reach our fulfillment more fully and demands prudence from those who exercise any office of authority. 
   How we long for rulers like Cyrus, whose example Jesus himself would have been pleased!