It was a curious Tweet that came across my timeline. Was A.C. Slater really getting baptized in the Jordan River?

Got baptized in the same river Jesus did...#JordanRiver #Jesus #JohnTheBaptist pic.twitter.com/WIuPtqEk9b

— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) March 22, 2018

And there was another one—this time at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Annunciation:

Angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary she was going to be the mother Christ of here...#AnunciationCathedral #RomanCatholic #AngelGabriel #VirginMary pic.twitter.com/QVMEr9Gyf9

— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) March 21, 2018

Mario Lopez is a TV host and actor. You might know him as A.C. Slater on “Saved by the Bell” or from “Dancing with the Stars.” He is currently one of the hosts of “Extra”—and a promoter of the Gospel.

It’s one thing for celebrities to be privately religious; using their platforms for evangelization is quite another. This week we talk with Mario about his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, what it’s like to be faithful in Hollywood, and passing down faith to children.

The Signs of the Times segment of the show comes with a cake motif: we discuss the Supreme Court’s recent decision in the Colorado “gay wedding cake” case and its impact on religion and culture; also, there was a life-sized Jesus cake—complete with icing stigmata wounds—that was maybe (or definitely) made in bad-taste. Outside of cake news, we talk about why the Vatican issued a new document on SPORTS!™; why a statue of Jesus was “too-Catholic” for one Baptist church; and how a former slave is going to be the first Catholic entombed in Denver’s Cathedral.

Have you been thinking to yourself, “Friday is such a long time to wait for another episode, I wish I could listen to some of it early”? If so, I have great news for you: we’ve started posting videos of the full, uncut versions of weekly interviews to our Patreon page on Wednesdays. You can help keep us employed and get some bonus content.

We also have our Facebook group—it’s a great way to meet and discuss Catholic things with other Jesuitical listeners. You can also follow us on Twitter @jesuiticalshow and send us feedback and cocktail recipes at [email protected].

Links from the show:

1. Pope Francis asks German bishops to set aside plan on Communion for non-Catholic spouses
2. Vatican Sports on Sundays are O.K. (except when used to skip Mass)

Baptist congregation votes Jesus statue out for being ‘too Catholic’

A life-sized Jesus cake with stigmata wounds is making Christians angry

Supreme Court sides with baker who wouldn’t make cake for a same-sex couple

Former slave, on possible path to sainthood, to be entombed in Denver cathedral

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What’s on tap?

Chocolate Cake Martini: vanilla vodka, chocolate liqueur, half-and-half, whipped cream and a cookie wafer to garnish.

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