God's Playbook

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, we explore the question: does Lent change parts of the Mass? The answer is yes—during Lent, elements such as the “Gloria” and the “Alleluia” are omitted to help us enter into a season of simplicity, reflection, and spiritual renewal. We unpack how these liturgical changes are not about taking away joy, but rather about helping us focus on the...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we reflect on Isaiah 1 and the powerful call to be washed clean. God promises that though our sins are as scarlet, He will make them white as snow—offering us the grace of transformation when we truly repent. But repentance is not passive; we are called to be active participants in building His kingdom, seeking justice, and caring for those in need. As we journey through Le...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our Lenten journey with the saints, we turn today to St. Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first canonized saint. Mary devoted her life to serving the poor through education and care, even in the face of harsh opposition and personal suffering. Her trust in God’s will—especially in moments of deep exhaustion and spiritual dryness—is a powerful reminder that even when pray...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our Lenten journey with the saints, today, we reflect on St. Benedict, the founder of Western monasticism, whose Benedictine Rule emphasized daily prayer, holy reading, and meaningful work. His teachings remind us of the importance of structure, balance, and intentionality in our daily lives, ensuring we make time for God amid our responsibilities. As we journey thr...

Send us Fan Mail We continue our Lenten journey with the saints. Today, we reflect on St. Isidore, a humble farmer whose deep devotion to prayer and the Eucharist reminds us of the importance of making time for God in our daily lives. His faithfulness teaches us to prioritize worship, remain present during Mass, and extend generosity to those in need. As we journey through Lent, may we follow St....

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our Lenten journey with the saints. Today, we reflect on the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young man who embodied the Beatitudes through his love for the poor, his devotion to prayer, and his commitment to true friendship. He reminds us that holiness isn’t just for those in monasteries or convents—it’s something we can live out in our daily lives, surroun...

Send us Fan Mail Friends welcome back to God’s Playbook as we continue our Lenten journey with the saints. Today, we reflect on the life of St. Clare of Assisi, a woman of deep faith and simplicity who St. Francis inspired to embrace a life of poverty and prayer. Though she never left her convent, her influence reached far beyond its walls, reminding us of the power of contemplation and surrender...

Send us Fan Mail Friends welcome back to God’s Playbook as we continue our Lenten journey with the saints. Today, we reflect on the inspiring life of St. Katharine Drexel, a woman of great faith and bold action. Born into wealth, she chose a life of service, dedicating her fortune to uplifting Native and African American communities through education and advocacy. Her story challenges us to stand...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we reflect on the life of St. Martin de Porres, a humble Dominican lay brother known for his deep compassion, miraculous healings, and service to the poor and marginalized. Despite facing discrimination due to his mixed-race heritage, he responded with love, humility, and a steadfast commitment to seeing Christ in all people. His example challenges us to examine our own pre...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our Lenten journey, today we reflect on the life of St. John Henry Newman, a brilliant theologian and poet who converted to Catholicism. His legacy includes deep intellectual writings, the founding of Catholic university communities, and the beloved hymn Lead, Kindly Light, which has brought hope to many in dark times. Newman reminds us that faith is not meant to be...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our Lenten journey with the saints, today we reflect on the life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, a young man of noble birth who gave up wealth and status to serve God. Despite illness and family opposition, he pursued a life of humility and compassion, ultimately giving his life while caring for plague victims. His story reminds us that holiness isn’t about sheer willpower...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our Lenten journey with the saints, today we reflect on the life and courage of St. Thomas More, a faithful Catholic, statesman, and martyr. Though a trusted adviser to King Henry VIII, he refused to compromise his beliefs when the king broke away from the Church, choosing to follow God’s law over political power. His famous last words—"I die the king’s faithfu...

Send us Fan Mail As we continue our Lenten journey with the saints, today we honour St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and martyr. Falsely accused of a crime he did not commit, St. Lorenzo fled his homeland, only to face persecution in Japan, where he chose death rather than renounce his faith. His unwavering courage and final words—"If I had a thousand lives, I would offer them all t...

Send us Fan Mail As we are in the season of Lent, we begin our new Lenten mini-series on the saints, we start with St. Brother André, a humble yet powerful witness of faith. Born in Canada, Brother André dedicated his life to welcoming others, serving as a simple doorkeeper while placing his trust in St. Joseph’s intercession. Through his deep faith and commitment to prayer, countless people exper...

Send us Fan Mail As we conclude our journey through the Stations of the Cross, we reflect on the 14th Station, where Jesus is placed in the tomb. For Mary, John, and the disciples, this was a moment of deep sorrow, yet also a time to trust in God’s promise of resurrection. In our own lives, we face the pain of losing loved ones, struggling with grief, memories, and the longing for their presence....

Send us Fan Mail As we reflect on the 13th Station, we witness Mary cradling the lifeless body of her son, a moment of deep sorrow yet also profound hope. The image of the Pietà reminds us of the pain of losing a loved one, but also the promise of resurrection through Christ. Just as Mary held Jesus with faith and trust in God’s plan, we too can find strength in our grief, knowing that death is no...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we reflect on the most powerful moment in history—Jesus’ death on the Cross. While this station fills us with sorrow, it also brings us great joy, for in His suffering, Jesus accomplishes the ultimate act of love, offering Himself for our redemption. As we gaze upon the crucifix, may we be reminded daily of His unconditional love and the gratitude we owe Him—not just on Goo...

Send us Fan Mail As Jesus is nailed to the Cross, we are reminded of the immense suffering He endured—not just from physical pain, but from the weight of our sins that placed Him there. Each nail driven into His hands and feet represents the moments we choose sin over His love, yet He accepts this suffering willingly for our salvation. In this station, we reflect on how our words and actions impac...

Send us Fan Mail As Jesus is stripped of His garments, He is stripped of all dignity, enduring yet another layer of suffering for our sake. This station calls us to reflect on how we uphold or diminish the dignity of others—through our words, actions, and even our neglect. Do we honour God in our daily lives, in how we pray, speak, and treat one another? Join Fr. Rico as we examine the ways we can...

Send us Fan Mail As Jesus falls for the third time, we are reminded of our own struggles with sin—falling into the same traps, making the same mistakes, and wondering if real change is possible. This station calls us to reflect on our own spiritual perseverance and ask: What am I doing differently to avoid these pitfalls? While discouragement is one of the enemy’s strongest weapons, God calls us t...

Send us Fan Mail As Jesus carries His cross, He meets the women of Jerusalem, who weep for Him. Yet, His response is striking—He tells them to weep for themselves and their children. Jesus calls them, and us, to reflect on the state of our own souls, reminding us that faith is not just about external sorrow but true conversion of heart. Join Fr. Rico as we examine our spiritual lives, remove obsta...

Send us Fan Mail As we reflect on the seventh station, we see Jesus fall once again, reminding us of our own struggles with sin and weakness. How often do we find ourselves falling into the same patterns, facing the same temptations, and feeling discouraged? Yet, Jesus teaches us not to give up—He gets up and continues forward, showing us that God’s grace is always there to help us rise again. Joi...

Send us Fan Mail In this sixth station, we witness an act of profound love and compassion—Veronica stepping forward to wipe the face of Jesus. Her simple yet courageous gesture reminds us of our call to serve others, just as Jesus teaches in Matthew 25: “Whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.” Whether offering comfort to a suffering friend or assisting a strange...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to God’s Playbook! Today, we reflect on the fifth station of the Cross, where Simon of Cyrene is called—perhaps unwillingly at first—to help Jesus carry His burden. This moment speaks to the reality of our own lives: Are we willing to help others, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable? Just as Simon’s heart softened as he walked with Jesus, we too are called to...

Send us Fan Mail As Jesus carries His cross, He meets His sorrowful mother, Mary—His greatest supporter and the perfect disciple. Though her heart is breaking, she remains steadfast, trusting in God’s will even in the face of suffering. How do we respond when we see our loved ones in pain? Do we have the strength to accompany them, just as Mary accompanied Jesus? In today’s episode, we reflect on...