When Rules are Rules

Reflection Date: February 15, 2026 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Sirach 15:15-20, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Matthew 5:17-37 

Children of God: Recently, a royal story in the distant past went viral. 

It was about Queen Sunandha Kumariratana of Thailand. In the year 1880, when she was only nineteen years old, she died in a tragic boating accident. 

The boat carrying her and her child capsized on a river. 

For many years, the story spread (as on social media) that no one dared to touch her to save her life because of an old law that prohibited common people from touching royalty. 

That version made the tragedy even more painful and shocking. 

However, historical records tell a more accurate story. 

The personal diary of King Chulalongkorn himself showed that boatmen and helpers actually tried to rescue her. 

Sadly, despite their efforts, the rescue failed and she drowned. 

The viral story reminded people how laws, misunderstandings, and traditions can sometimes complicate human actions.

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

He said did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. He invited people to look deeper into the real spirit behind every commandment. 

The Pharisees focused on external obedience. Jesus focused on inner conversion. 

What are our inspirations for today?

First, obeying the law is not enough if the heart is not changed.

Jesus told the people that their righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). 

Many religious leaders of his time were experts in following rules, but their hearts were far from God. 

They obeyed externally, but inside they remained proud and unloving. 

Jesus reminded them that God looks beyond appearances. He searches what is hidden in the soul.

He explained that the commandment against killing goes deeper than physical murder (Matthew 5:21-22). Anger, insults, and hatred already violate the spirit of the law. 

This teaching showed that sin begins long before an action is committed. It begins in thoughts, attitudes, and intentions. 

Jesus invited his listeners to examine their inner life.

Today, we are also challenged in the same way. 

We can attend church, follow religious practices, and still carry bitterness in our hearts. 

The gospel invites us to honesty. We are called to a conversion that touches our emotions, relationships, and motives. 

Second, faithfulness in small things.

Jesus continued by teaching about relationships, marriage, and truthfulness (Matthew 5:27-37). He spoke about adultery, divorce, and taking oaths. 

In every example, he pointed to the importance of sincerity and integrity. 

He showed that big sins often start with small compromises. 

A wandering look can grow into an unfaithful act. A small lie can grow into a dishonest life.

He taught that words must be simple and truthful (Matthew 5:37). 

Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. 

This is a call to live with consistency. Jesus wanted people whose character could be trusted without the need for dramatic promises. 

In our present lives, this message remains very relevant. 

We are tempted to excuse small wrongs because they seem harmless. 

But the gospel reminds us that greatness before God is built through small acts of honesty, purity, and responsibility. 

Children of God: The gospel message is both challenging and hopeful. 

Jesus calls us to something higher than legalism and something deeper than mere tradition. 

He invites us to examine not only what we do, but why we do it. 

The invitation is clear and practical. Follow the rules, but more importantly, follow the Lord behind the rules. 

This is the kind of righteousness that changes lives. 

This is the kind of faith that builds a better world.