DOUGIE ELLIOTT [1934-2011]: TRIBUTE A DAY TO BE SAD

摘要

When Jesus said to his closest friends and family, "Dont be troubled" [v. 1 ], He didnt mean "dont be sad", "be strong", "keep a stiff upper lip" Jesus was human like us, and he was an emotional man. Just a few days before this, one of Jesus' dearly loved friends, Lazarus-the brother of Mary and Martha - had died quite suddenly, but circumstances had prevented Jesus from being there. Perhaps it was the shock of this, combined with his deep love for Lazarus and his sisters, but when he arrived 4 days after the burial we read that he just broke down and wept, that "his heart was touched and he was deeply moved". The words used here are very strong, meaning literally "he was angry in his spirit and extremely agitated". Jesus felt the intense pain of grief and he didnt bottle it up. We too have all had a terrible shock these last few days. Dougie was a dearly loved husband to Betty - they were married 54 years ago and since then they have been devoted to each other. He was a dearly loved father and grandfather, a good man who made many friends through his work, his neighbourhood and in St Patrick's church.