{"id":1616,"date":"2011-10-17T08:32:26","date_gmt":"2011-10-17T15:32:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/?p=1616"},"modified":"2011-10-17T09:42:52","modified_gmt":"2011-10-17T16:42:52","slug":"1616","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/1616\/","title":{"rendered":"The Persian Anointed"},"content":{"rendered":"

T<\/span>his is this past Sunday’s first reading, which I read at Mass, from the 45th Chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah:<\/p>\n

Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus,
\nwhose right hand I grasp,
\nsubduing nations before him,
\nand making kings run in his service,
\nopening doors before him
\nand leaving the gates unbarred:
\nFor the sake of Jacob, my servant,
\nof Israel, my chosen one,
\nI have called you by your name,
\ngiving you a title, though you knew me not.
\nI am the LORD and there is no other,
\nthere is no God besides me.
\nIt is I who arm you, though you know me not,
\nso that toward the rising and the setting of the sun
\npeople may know that there is none besides me.
\nI am the LORD, there is no other.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Cyrus the Great<\/p><\/div>In 539 BC on this day, the 17th of October, Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, releasing the Jews from seventy years of exile.<\/p>\n

He ended the Babyonian Captivity by allowing the exiled Jews to return to Judea and to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the Temple.<\/p>\n

It’s rare that the lectionary readings coincide with the historical events they describe, but it’s always kind of neat when it happens.<\/p>\n

Cyrus is the only gentile described in the scriptures as the anointed of the Lord. Food for thought.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is this past Sunday’s first reading, which I read at Mass, from the 45th Chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, subduing nations before him, and making kings run in his service, opening doors before him and leaving the gates unbarred: For the sake of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-history"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/s1aGBK-1616","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":89288,"url":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/the-dedication-of-an-altar\/","url_meta":{"origin":1616,"position":0},"title":"The Dedication of an Altar","author":"Thom","date":"14 January 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The Dedication of an Altar is a rare ritual in the church. Normally, it takes place within the larger dedication of a church or chapel. However, this coming week, Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg will be dedicating a new altar at one of our local Tacoma parishes. The altar in question was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "2015 transitions - Holy Rosary \/ St. Joseph"","block_context":{"text":"2015 transitions - Holy Rosary \/ St. Joseph","link":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/category\/holy-rosary-st-joseph-transition\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Visitation-Altar.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Visitation-Altar.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Visitation-Altar.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Visitation-Altar.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Visitation-Altar.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":90162,"url":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/reformation-day\/","url_meta":{"origin":1616,"position":1},"title":"Reformation Day","author":"Thom","date":"31 October 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Protestants all over the world celebrate \"Reformation Day\" of October 31. I don't. Last year, on the five hundredth anniversary of Martin Luther's revolt, I wrote a lengthy essay on exactly why not, and I think it's worth reprinting in its entirety. Five Hundred Years Today is the five hundredth\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Annual"","block_context":{"text":"Annual","link":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/category\/annual\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Luther-12.jpg?fit=411%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":88980,"url":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/five-hundred-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":1616,"position":2},"title":"Five Hundred Years","author":"Thom","date":"31 October 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Today is the five hundredth anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. It is fitting that this day is commemorated on the eve of All Saints Day, because Martin Luther began by doing the work of the saints. Ultimately, though, he chose another path. He chose the path of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Catechism"","block_context":{"text":"Catechism","link":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/category\/catechism\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Luther-12.jpg?fit=411%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":107658,"url":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/oremus-pro-pontifice-nostro-francisco\/","url_meta":{"origin":1616,"position":3},"title":"Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Francisco","author":"Thom","date":"13 March 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"the tenth anniversary of the papacy of Pope Francis, join me in praying this ancient prayer for the Pope. It has been frequently set to music, including in the venerable Liber Usualis. V. Let us pray for Francis, the\u00a0Pope.R. May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Chant"","block_context":{"text":"Chant","link":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/category\/chant\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/POPE-VESPERS-BENEDICT-1754006.JPG.jpeg?fit=1200%2C863&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/POPE-VESPERS-BENEDICT-1754006.JPG.jpeg?fit=1200%2C863&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/POPE-VESPERS-BENEDICT-1754006.JPG.jpeg?fit=1200%2C863&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/POPE-VESPERS-BENEDICT-1754006.JPG.jpeg?fit=1200%2C863&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/POPE-VESPERS-BENEDICT-1754006.JPG.jpeg?fit=1200%2C863&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":109449,"url":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/oremus-pro-pontifice-nostro-francisco-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":1616,"position":4},"title":"Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Francisco","author":"Thom","date":"19 February 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"we continue to receive reports from the Vatican that Pope Francis is suffering from double pneumonia, please join me in praying this ancient prayer for the Pope. It has been frequently set to music, including in the venerable Liber Usualis. V. Let us pray for Francis, the\u00a0Pope.R. May the Lord\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latin"","block_context":{"text":"Latin","link":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/category\/latin\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/pope-francis-2025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/pope-francis-2025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/pope-francis-2025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/pope-francis-2025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/pope-francis-2025-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":105997,"url":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/mary-immaculate-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":1616,"position":5},"title":"Mary Immaculate","author":"Thom","date":"08 December 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"this great Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us join together with the Angels and the Saints of all ages in singing the praises of the Mother of God. , gr\u00e1tia pl\u00e9na, D\u00f3minus t\u00e9cum. Bened\u00edcta tu in muli\u00e9ribus, et bened\u00edctus fr\u00factus v\u00e9ntris t\u00fai, I\u00e9sus. S\u00e1ncta\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Annual"","block_context":{"text":"Annual","link":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/category\/annual\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Notre_Dame_du_Rosaire.jpg?fit=1200%2C968&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Notre_Dame_du_Rosaire.jpg?fit=1200%2C968&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Notre_Dame_du_Rosaire.jpg?fit=1200%2C968&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Notre_Dame_du_Rosaire.jpg?fit=1200%2C968&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Notre_Dame_du_Rosaire.jpg?fit=1200%2C968&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1616"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1621,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1616\/revisions\/1621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thomryng.com\/amateurmonk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}