The best was saved for last in this CNN program, What Would Jesus Really Do: a discussion with Cardinal McCarrick and Rabbi Boteach about the impact of a married Jesus, a.k.a. the Da Vinci Code, on the Christian faithful.

Even with the clumsy, obvious editing cuts - both clerics had much to say - the exchange reveals interesting perceptions of Catholicism and Christianity, not just from the guests but also by the host who had a vested interest in seeing the Christian faith properly apprehended.

Previous program segments were politically oriented, discussing whether Jesus was a Republican or a Democrat (T. D. Jakes and Paula White), whether he would focus solely on the abortion issue or have a wider agenda (Rick Warren), whether he would support the war (Jerry Falwell). And, the usual cast of evangelical characters was rounded out with a Catholic and a Jew addressing the Da Vinci threat to the practice of Catholicism.

The rabbi's observation, that Jesus' humanity isn't emphasized sufficiently in Christianity, is rightly applicable here and there, from time to time, in instances when the tradition is less than fully expressed. The Christian theologian's delicate task was once described to me as somewhat akin to that of a circus plate spinner because of the many necessary dimensions that must be simultaneously upheld and affirmed to avoid subtle theological pitfalls.

At least three times, the cardinal invited the rabbi to Mass and even invited him to preach from the pulpit, his way of encouraging him to learn what Catholics believe about Jesus and to say that there is agreement on Jesus' humanity. To the rest, he advocated reading the Gospels to discover Jesus' identity and message and to find Jesus in church.

The YouTube video quality is not refined enough to show the most important aspect of the two guests, their respective countenance which were radiant and peaceful. Cardinal McCarrick had that completely relaxed look that one often sees among the retired. See for yourself.