God's Playbook

Send us Fan Mail Friends, welcome back to God’s Playbook . In today’s episode, Fr. Rico reflects on the Beatitudes from St. Luke’s account in Luke 6:20–26 rather than the more familiar version from St. Matthew. Fr. Rico looks at Jesus’ blessings and warnings in a very real, relatable way. This conversation focuses on how hope shows up in everyday struggles—when life feels hard, unfair, or overwhel...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, Fr. Rico celebrates the Feast Day of St. John Bosco, a priest with a deep love for young people who devoted his life to educating, guiding, and leading them closer to Christ through faith, joy, and genuine care. Listeners are invited to reflect on how St. John Bosco’s example challenges us to recognize the needs around us—especially the young and the marginaliz...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode, “Psalm 51,” invites listeners to slow down and pray over one of the most moving prayers of repentance in Scripture — a heartfelt cry for cleansing and mercy. Fr. Rico reflects on how this psalm helps us acknowledge our sins before God while trusting completely in His steadfast love and forgiveness. Just like an athlete who learns from mistakes and gets back in the...

Send us Fan Mail In Psalm 50, God paints a vivid contrast between those who are faithful and those who stray from Him. It’s a reminder of the spiritual battle between good and evil that we all face. Verse 15 stands out: “Call on me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you, and you will glorify me.” God isn’t distant—He’s actively working in our lives, ready to fight for us when we turn to Him...

Send us Fan Mail Friends, welcome back to God’s Playbook. Today’s episode celebrates the Feast Day of St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the great Doctors of the Church, whose life and writings continue to shape how we come to know God through faith, reason, and study. Fr. Rico reflects on St. Thomas’ lasting influence—from the Summa Theologica to our Eucharistic hymns—and invites listeners to let knowled...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode dives into Psalm 47, a joyful psalm of praise, reminding us to give God the glory and honour He deserves. As we unpack the verses, we’re inspired to approach each day with a positive attitude, recognizing the greatness of God. Just like the uplifting energy of songs like Walking on Sunshine or Our God Is an Awesome God, this psalm reminds us that “the Lord, the Mos...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we reflect on the beauty of Psalm 86, where we hear, “Incline your ear, O Lord, and save me.” Imagine—God, in all His infinite power and majesty, stops to listen to your prayer. King David’s heartfelt cry for help reminds us that it’s okay to turn to God in our most vulnerable moments. Verse 7, “In the day of my trouble, I call on you, and you will answer me,”...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we explore the importance of the Old Testament and how it lays the foundation for understanding the New Testament. The stories, prophecies, and lessons of the Old Testament are essential for making sense of the life and teachings of Jesus. Without the accounts of old, the New Testament would lose much of its depth and meaning. Join Fr. Rico as he unpacks how th...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to God’s Playbook and happy New Year 2026! After the holiday break, Fr. Rico kicks things off by reflecting on John 1:35–42, where the first disciples respond to Jesus’ simple but powerful invitation: “Come and see.” This episode explores the handoff from John the Baptist to Jesus, the courage it takes to follow Christ, and how encountering Jesus can change not only o...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, Fr. Rico reflects on New Year’s Eve within the joyful Octave of Christmas and invites listeners to rethink what resolutions really matter. While many goals focus on habits or self-improvement, this episode challenges listeners to consider spiritual resolutions—growing in prayer, holiness, and gratitude for God’s blessings. It’s a practical and hopeful invitatio...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, “Psalm 86,” Fr. Rico reflects on King David’s honest and humble prayer for God’s help, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. In the heart of the Christmas season, this psalm reassures us that God—mighty, merciful, and loving—always inclines His ear to hear our cries. Listeners are invited to bring their worries, fatigue, and h...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, Fr. Rico has some fun using a familiar Christmas treat as a creative way to talk about faith. From the shape and colours to the meaning behind its symbols, he shows how the candy cane can point us back to Jesus and the heart of the Christmas story—especially for families and young children. It’s a lighthearted reminder that everyday things can become teachable...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, Fr. Rico reflects on the tragic yet powerful story of the children killed under King Herod’s jealousy and fear of the newborn King. This feast reminds us that Christmas holds both great joy and real suffering, and that God remains present and protective through every high and low of life. Listeners are invited to trust in God’s power over evil and to lean on Hi...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, Fr. Rico reflects on the youngest apostle, the beloved disciple, and the powerful witness behind the Gospel of John, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. This episode explores John’s deep closeness to Jesus, his faithfulness at the foot of the Cross, and what his life teaches us about love, loyalty, and truly knowing Christ. As we continue the joy of the C...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, Fr. Rico reflects on the Church’s first martyr and what his courageous witness means for us today. Celebrated just one day after Christmas, St. Stephen challenges listeners to ask how boldly they live and defend their faith in everyday moments. As we continue the joy of the Christmas season, this episode invites us to deeper courage, conviction, and trust in Go...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s Christmas episode, Fr. Rico reflects on “O Come Let Us Adore Him” and the joy of celebrating Jesus’ birthday. This episode invites listeners to pause, adore Christ with grateful hearts, and rejoice that God humbled Himself to dwell among us as Emmanuel.  From everyone here at God’s Playbook, we wish you a very Merry Christmas—may the newborn King fill your hearts with p...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico reflects on “Christmas Eve” and the joy of the Gospel that proclaims the birth of Jesus. Through the story of the shepherds, listeners are invited to see themselves among the first to welcome Christ—simple, open-hearted, and filled with awe. This episode encourages a quiet, grateful pause to ponder the miracle of Emmanuel and to appro...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico reflects on “Naming Rights” through the story of John the Baptist and the meaning behind his God-given name. The naming of John reminds us that names matter—they point to identity, mission, and purpose, even when they go against social expectations. As Advent draws to a close, this episode invites listeners to reflect on the name Chri...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico reflects on “Mary’s Song of Praise,” the Magnificat, a prayer the Church lifts up every day as a reminder of God’s mercy and faithfulness. Mary’s words show us what true discipleship looks like—recognizing that every blessing is a gift from God and responding with humility, gratitude, and joy. As Christmas draws near, this episode inv...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico reflects on the 4th Sunday of Advent as we enter the final days of waiting with joy and excitement for the birth of Jesus. He highlights Joseph’s faithful “yes” to God’s plan and invites listeners to stay prayerful and hopeful amid the busyness of the season. As Christmas draws near, this episode encourages making space each day to we...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico reflects on “Great News” through the Gospel of the Annunciation as we draw closer to Christmas. He explores Mary’s faithful “yes,” her trust in God’s will, and the joyful good news that Emmanuel is coming to save us. This episode invites listeners to recognize God’s love in their own lives and to ask how they, like Mary, can be open t...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico reflects on “A Holy Visitor” through the Gospel story of Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth. He highlights Mary’s selfless love—setting aside her own needs to care for another—and invites listeners to consider how God often comes to us through the kindness, presence, and help of others. This episode encourages us to both serve with genero...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico explores the role and meaning of statues in the church and why they’ve been part of Christian worship since the earliest days. He explains how statues—especially the crucifix—serve as powerful visual reminders of Christ’s love, sacrifice, and the call to holiness, not objects of worship. Listeners are invited to look at the statues in...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook , Fr. Rico takes a closer look at the stained glass windows we often admire but rarely stop to understand. He explores how these beautiful works of art have long told the story of salvation, taught the faith, and drawn hearts toward God—especially before books and widespread education existed. Listeners are invited to see their church windows w...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of God’s Playbook, Fr. Rico reflects on the joy of the Third Week of Advent through the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Their faith, patience, and trust in God—even in moments of doubt—remind us that God always works for our good and blesses us in unexpected ways. As we rejoice with them at the gift of John the Baptist, listeners are invited to pause, recogniz...