I have a testimony of the Atonement and Resurrection

The other day in mass, the priest told a joke to open his homily (this is a common way to begin, actually). It went something like this:

So on the 3rd day, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it empty.

John 20:11-17
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

(at this point, no one suspects a joke, because it was the Sunday after Easter and it makes total sense to discuss this subject)

Verse 18 goes on to say that Mary Magdalene went back to tell the disciples. "What did He say???" "He wonders where you all were last Friday"

There's the joke! It's kinda funny, but at the same time kinda makes you uncomfortable, right? Jesus would never say such a thing of His disciples! No, instead He wishes them peace:

Image source

John 21-22
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost

He wishes us peace, too. He doesn't hold a grudge when we sin; instead, He offers us a second or third or hundredth chance, because He wants us to be able to return to live with Him and Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ is perfect. He paid for our sins, to save us from eternal torment. He paid a debt we could not, cannot pay. And never once did He resent you or anyone else for being the reason He had to experience such pain. The Atonement is so personal. It is for YOU. You are worth it. You can never screw up so much that He cannot forgive you. He is omnipotent, which according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, means "almighty" or having "unlimited authority or influence." He can do anything, include forgive you for the seemingly unforgivable. Simply have faith and repent, my friend. I know all things are possible, through Christ who gives me strength.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

<3 Marie-Rose

(PS I can't take credit for the ideas in this post. After he told the joke, the priest went on to say how it made us uncomfortable and why, and I just borrowed his ideas to share with you guys and then added my own testimony)

See my previous Testimony posts here

Other bloggers' awesome testimony posts:

• Eliza's at Mark This Day 
• Dani's at Let Your Light Shine 

If you have a "testimony" label and you'd like to appear on this list, comment or email me at hopealwaysandprayconstantly@gmail.com and I'll add you! Also, if you don't have a "testimony" (or something similar) label, you should create one!