Background

After Jerusalem fell and many of Judah’s people were taken into exile in Babylon, the hope of returning home seemed far away. Then Cyrus, king of Persia, conquered Babylon and issued a decree allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1–4). The Book of Isaiah had already described Cyrus as an instrument of God’s purpose (Isaiah 44:28–45:1), showing that God could work through a foreign ruler to restore his people. That story offers a fitting reflection alongside the Sunday Gospel, where Jesus says to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God (Matthew 22:15–21): civic responsibilities matter, yet our deepest allegiance and our whole lives belong to God.

About This Film

After years of exile in Babylon, Judah’s people were given permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Isaiah had foretold that God would work through Cyrus, the Persian king.

This story connects with Jesus’ teaching about giving civic authorities their due while giving God our whole lives.

Readings: Isaiah 45:1, 4–6; Ezra 1:1–4; Matthew 22:15–21.

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