CV NEWS FEED // Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie, famous for his role as Jesus in TV series “The Chosen,” urged graduates during his May 11 commencement address at Catholic University of America to surrender their wills to God’s.
“You’re not in charge, God is,” Roumie said. “I cannot underscore this enough. I would not be standing with you here today if God had not brought me to my knees in utter desperation to surrender my entire life and specifically my career over to Him—something I hadn’t even considered before.”
Roumie shared with the graduates that he surrendered his life to God exactly six years ago, and never looked back.
Six years ago, he had only $20, no job, thousands of dollars in debt, no food, and no opportunities. After getting on his knees and praying, he left his apartment, spent his last dollars on brunch, and came home to $1,100 in the shape of four mysterious checks in his mailbox.
Since then, Roumie has played Jesus on the internationally acclaimed television series “The Chosen,” has led meditations and prayers on the Hallow prayer app, and starred in another movie about following God’s will, “Jesus Revolution.”
He also shared with graduates that unceasing prayer, fasting, repentance, and frequent reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist have given him peace.
“By this … I’m given wisdom in areas of my life experiencing conflict beyond my human understanding, and I’m strengthened to go forward and to handle situations I am otherwise overwhelmed by,” he said.
Referring to his experience playing Jesus, Roumie pointed out that all are called to be instruments for Jesus to work through, every day.
“You don’t need to play Jesus for the world in order to be Jesus to the world,” Roumie said. “Just because you’re not an actor playing Jesus or you’re not a priest or a nun doesn’t mean you’re not meant to represent Him at all times, wherever you go.”
He also urged graduates to be authentic Catholic witnesses, saying:
Don’t let the enemy tempt you to pick up a can of gasoline and add to the flames of the chaos and the fear. Be ready with a hose filled with words of comfort and consolation, ready to put out those flames. Offer a blanket of peace—the peace of acting in accordance with the Holy Spirit, providing the solace and wisdom of Jesus so desperately needed in our times.
He concluded by once again calling for graduates to surrender to God.
I found that surrender leads to salvation in every way possible. Your self reliance won’t cure you. Your willpower won’t save you. Independence will not deliver you from that which seeks to destroy your faith in God. Erode your hope in Christ or corrode your love for the Holy Spirit and humanity itself—these are all lies from the enemy.
The more you commit, the deeper He takes you, the more you love Him, the higher you go, the more you seek Him, the wilder your journey gets… in your complete surrender to God you will always succeed because Jesus was, is, and ever shall be, enough.
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