The Feast of Christ the King is the culmination of the Liturgical Year, reminding us of Christ and his authority, which “is not of this world” (John 18:36). It is an authority that he shares with all Christians, making “us a line of kings, priests to serve his God and Father” (Revelation 1:6). With the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are anointed kings, collaborate with him in “subjecting all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:21).
Consider how the Sacrament of Confirmation anoints us to cooperate with Christ’s high priesthood, but it also anoints us to cooperate with his kingship in gently leading his people to good pastures. Jesus Christ’s kingship is not a self-centered lordship, but a service by which He lays down his life for his sheep:
“And Jesus called [the apostles] to him and said to them, ‘You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’” (Mark 10:42-45).
The bishop does this by being present to his people in their needs, especially in assigning priests and deacons to various parishes, hospitals, schools, and other ministries throughout the diocese. Ultimately, he is called to lay down his life for his flock, protecting them from anything that threatens his flock’s Christian faith and morals.
Confirmation also anoints the lay faithful to participate in Christ’s kingship. Confirmation empowers spouses to do this with each other by their mutual service, imitating Christ the Bridegroom who “loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:25-26).
Confirmation empowers parents to govern the family, leading their children to good pastures. They do this by making sure that the environment in which the children are nurtured is safe and secure. This is why parents are responsible for making sure their children’s school reinforces their Christian culture and values. Parents must safeguard their children from bad influences, such as from TV or the Internet, especially to protect their children from access to pornography, provocative music or films, etc., from the potential bad influence of other children, or from anti-Catholic teachings and sex-education programs in the school. Children are God’s treasures entrusted to parents to safeguard and guide.
Confirmation enables older children to exercise a positive influence on their siblings, not as parents, but as Christ the Good Shepherd. So, an older child ought to look out for and protect their younger siblings from harm in crossing the street, walking to school, or from bullies. They should also be attentive to what their siblings are exposed to on television, in books, etc. so as to aid their parents in exercising Christ’s kingship.
In a similar way, any exercise of authority by a Christian ought to be done with Christ the King. Being a boss or supervisor in the workplace should direct those under them as Christ would. St. Paul called Christian slave-masters to “treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1; cf. 3:22-25; Ephesians 6:5-9; 1 Timothy 6:1-2); bosses should do the same.
The sacrament of Confirmation thus anoints us to exercise authority in a Christian way.