Comedian Jim Carrey may have a new career path in preaching after he spoke to former inmates about the hope that Jesus Christ represents.
Last month, Carrey attended an event by Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit that provides hope, training and support to formerly incarcerated men and women. There, while addressing former gang members who are striving to now become contributing members of society, Carrey said that he has learned that suffering leads to salvation.
“I want to speak to the fact that I believe that this room is filled with God, and that you are heroes to me and I admire you,” Carrey told the former inmates in an emotional speech. “You’ve made a decision to transcend and to leave darkness behind, and it takes a champion to make that decision.”
READ: Actor and Former Marine Adam Driver Reminds Us That Freedom Isn’t Free
The 55-year-old “Ace Ventura” star became introduced to Homeboy Industries by founder, Father Gregory Boyl, The Christian Post reported.
“I really wanna speak to the fact that I’ve had some challenges myself and ultimately I believe that suffering leads to salvation,” Carrey said. “In fact, it’s the only way. We have to somehow accept — and not deny — feel our suffering, feel our losses, and then we make one of two decisions.”
In his sermon, he said that all people need to choose between two gates, one of resentment, which leads to vengeance, and self-harm, and the other of forgiveness, “which leads to grace.”
Carrey told the group that he admired them, and that by them already being there, they’ve made the “decision to walk through the gate of forgiveness. – just as Christ did on the Cross.”
THANK YOU @JimCarrey for visiting us today! We appreciate every bit of love and wisdom you shared with us. Come again soon! pic.twitter.com/GDV0E2yaPm
— Homeboy Industries (@HomeboyInd) June 10, 2017
Despite being in such horrible circumstances, Jesus decided to look upon the people who caused his suffering “with compassion and forgiveness,” Carrey said.
“That’s what opens the gates of Heaven for all of us,” he said.
Carrey encouraged everyone to “transcend” past negativity, because when you are positive, “you are the heart of God, you are the eyes of God.”
“When you speak from that place you are God’s voice,” Carrey concluded in his sermon. “Serving the world with your work, that is the Eucharist, that is the Body of Christ.”
(H/T: The Christian Post)