Rules and Real Life Faith

Reflection Date: June 10, 2026 | Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time 
Daily Readings: 1 Kings 18:20-39; Matthew 5:17-19

Children of God:
One interesting question many Catholics ask is this: “Can a lay person baptize someone during emergency situations?” 

The answer is yes. 

The Catholic Church teaches that in danger of death, anyone can baptize, as long as the person intends to do what the Church does and uses water with the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” 

This usually happened in hospitals when a newborn is critically ill and no priest is available immediately. 

There were also stories during wars, shipwrecks, and disasters when ordinary believers baptized dying individuals because time was running out. 

During the pandemic, some families even asked guidance from priests regarding emergency baptisms in critical circumstances. 

The Church allowed this because baptism is considered necessary for salvation and entrance into Christian life. 

Still, the Church also clarified that under ordinary situations, priests and deacons normally administered the sacrament publicly within the faith community. 

Emergency baptism is never meant to replace the ordinary ministry of the Church. 

Rather, it revealed how seriously the Church valued the gift of grace and eternal life. 

Behind this teaching is a beautiful reminder that God’s law exists not to burden people but to save them.

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus spoke strongly about the law and commandments. 

He explained that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. 

What are our inspirations for today?

First, God’s commandments protect life and faith.

Jesus said, “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). 

Christ respected the law because it guided people toward God. 

In modern times, many viewed rules negatively. 

Some treated commandments as outdated restrictions that prevented happiness. 

Yet healthy laws actually protected relationships, dignity, and peace.

This also applied to our daily lives. 

Parents set rules at home because they cared for their children. 

Schools created policies to maintain discipline and learning. 

Traffic laws prevented accidents. 

In the same way, God’s commandments were never designed to destroy joy. 

They guided people away from harm and toward fullness of life.

God’s commandments protect life and faith.

Second, loving God in small things.

Jesus also said that whoever obeyed and taught the commandments would be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:19). 

Faithfulness often appeared in small daily choices. 

Many people searched for dramatic ways to serve God but ignored ordinary responsibilities. 

Yet holiness usually grew quietly through consistency.

A nurse who gently prayed while assisting a dying patient showed faithfulness. 

A parent who taught children how to pray showed faithfulness. 

A person who remained honest despite temptations showed faithfulness. 

These simple acts might never become famous or viral, but they reflected love for God deeply.

Loving God in small things.

As we reflect today, we ask ourselves: Do I see God’s commandments as burdens or as guidance toward life? 

Am I faithful even in small responsibilities and daily acts of goodness? When difficult situations arise, do I respond with compassion, wisdom, and faith?

Children of God: 
The gospel today reminded us that Christ respected and fulfilled the law because it carried the wisdom of God. 

Every commandment invited us to grow closer to God and closer to one another. 

Even simple acts done with faith could become channels of grace. 

In a confused world, God still provided direction through His teachings and His Church. 

Let us become people who follow God not out of fear but out of love.