Friday, October 19, 2007

In The Arms Of The Angel

It was said in Jerusalem lies a pool called Bethesda. During the era of the Kings, the pool was used to wash the sheep prior to their sacrifice in the temple. This use of the pool gave the water a halo of sanctity, and many invalids came to the pool to be healed.


The
Angel of the Waters was said to occasionally visit the pool to stir its waters. The first person who enters the pool right after the angeltroubles” the waters will be healed of whatever disease he has. It is for this reason that the blind, the lame, the paralyzed and the sick are all waiting for the occasional, surprise stirring of the pool’s waters.

As Jesus walked among the sick at Bethesda, he passed before a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years and who had no one to put him first into the pool when the waters were troubled. Christ pitied this neglected man and said to him, “Take up your pallet and walk.” Obediently, without even reaching the angel-troubled waters, he took up his stretcher and walked.
Have you missed the angel’s splash?



Just recently, I have finished watching HBO’s Angels in America (I know it’s too late, sorry) and it was soooo good! Magnificent, spectacular, breathtaking, moving, poignant, enlightening are just few words that I could say about this once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece. Watching it is definitely one of the best-spent 6 hours of my life.


Adapted from two award winning Kushner stage plays, Angels is an arresting portrayal of the fight against AIDS and for (religious, sexual, ethnic, cultural, political) tolerance, shown through the loves and losses of all-too-human characters, in a climate of national hysteria. But it is also far more, setting the story of the early years of AIDS in the much larger context of American culture itself.

Angels in America broadcasts a message of love and loss, hope, healing, and tolerancenot only for those affected by AIDS, but for all of us. As Prior says at the end, “We aren't going away. We won't die secret deaths anymore. The world only spins forward. We will be citizens. The time has come.”
It just . . . It just . . . We can't just stop. We're not rocks—progress, migration, motion is . . . modernity. It's animate, it's what living things do. We desire. Even if all we desire is stillness, it's still desire for. Even if we go faster than we should. We can't wait. And wait for what? God. . .

He isn't coming back.

And as tagged by McRey, Dazed, and other fellow bloggers, here’s my desktop image:



I’m tagging everyone who hasn’t done it yet.

And oh, "and when love is dead,
I’m loving angels instead."

Have a great weekend everyone!

Angel of the Waters of Bethesda story here and here. Angels In America reviews here, here and here. Images from www.thecityreview.com and hbo.com.

38 comments:

Dabo said...

..Sarah Mclachlan..

bob said...

"when the love is dead, i'm loving angels instead."

- Robbie Williams, Angels.

Di ko rin napanood ang Angels in America although highly recommended siya ng mga friends.

KC said...

Di ko pa napapanood yung Angels in America. Harhar. But I'm absolutely fond of "Angel" stories.

We also have our everyday angels. Nung student ako yung drivers ng service namin ang angels ko. Yung nagtitinda ng french fries sa kabilang street ng subdivision natin. Ack! I have retarded thinking na. Nyahaha. Basta you can understand what I'm saying. I think everyone has the "K" to be an angel.

gorjess said...

i need to watch that.

[chocoley] said...

Whew, Angels in America is a good series. Hmm, i'm nut really ffond of angels but i do appreaciate them. :)

yer desktop view is really nice.
happy weekends Ruff!

mrs.j said...

hey ruff... i love angels in america too! hay... o well im nt a fan of angels like angel locsin! haha! bt do watch her sa mmk later! parang she's gud!

Emeniano Acain Somoza, Jr. said...

I have heard of the pool, but haven't gotten around Jerusalem yet...Wish! (Now there goes a wish-fulfilling job for my Guardian Angel now.)

As for "Angels in America", girl, did I sooo love it. Meryl Streep, this Wilson guy, and Al Pacino's mordbidly haunting performance. Geez, I am having goosebumps now.

Lastly, from the faceless department of self-promotion, may I shamelessly present to you, ehem, drumroll please, my raspily mangled version of Sarah McLachlan's Angel.

bob said...

@emman esse: WOW! kakainlove ang boses! :D galeng galeng!

Anonymous said...

Naks! Ruff ha! Mala Anghel yata motiff natin ngayun ah! Parang gusto ko yatang lumipad.. Bwahehehe!.. Masyadong naman yatang wholesome waaaa! Lol!

Happy Weekend! mwah :-)

Anonymous said...

NUrse Rufruf, Wow An angel POSt! i should link this to my angel write-ups!!! :)

when i bought d pirated dvd of Angels in America, it only have disc A. Kaya up to know, havent finished watching it. Pahiram copy ruf! (though i have seen bits and pieces of its ending sa cable b4).

They say, i think per tradition, the angel der visiting d pool of bethsaida is Archangel RUF phael, God heals!

Lastly, d angel figurine on your desktop is timely for ALL SAINTS DAY! It reminds me of angels above tombs of children.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@DAVENPORT: You're in the arms of the Angel, Davenport. May you find some comfort here.

@BOB: It’s one of my most loved song bob. In fact I want that song played on my funeral. It’s just uhm, peaceful.
~Angels in America is soooo beautiful bob! Naiyak pa nga ako in some scenes eh. And I’m not the type of person who can easily cry bob. I have almost non-existent tear glands. Ewan ko ba kung nasaan na sila nagpunta. =) I could tell you where to watch/download episodes for free. Hehehe.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@KC: Me, too. The first story, the Angel of the Waters, is actually inspired by the series. I was so engrossed with Angels that I have decided to research the story in sites where I don’t frequently go to, namely, religious, biblical sites. Hehehe.
~I agree with that proposition KC. As for my case, my personal angels are my mom, my dad, my sisters, my niece and nephews, my friends, my blogmates, the man who delivers taho everyday, my co-staff nurses, the cute interns, my friendly patients, and so much more. But yup KC, I do get your point.

@GORJESS: It’s really good gorjess. It gave me an intellectual and emotional orgasm I never had in months. For newbies, like me, repeated showing would be extremely necessary.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@DAZEDBLU*: I love Angels in America dazed, so do angel stories. They are always refreshing, and inspiring. Makes me want to believe that there are higher Creatures who unceasingly take care of us, tangible man or otherwise.
~My desktop image belongs to the series of angel photographs likewise posted in my header. The figurine is so ME. With a face that is still unseen.

@MRS. J: Angels is a once-in-a-lifetime film that should be considered a must-see for generations to come. I love Angels! But I prefer Locsin better than Panganiban. Okay naman siya sa MMK kahapon, I was expecting a love scene with Sam pa naman but the acting was would suffice.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@EMENN ESSE: Emenn, I would rather visit the Angel of the Waters (Bethesda Fountain) in Central Park, NY (the fountain was actually inspired by the Bethesda Angel in the Scriptures) than the Jerusalem pool and feel such greater healing a power just like what the characters experienced in the series.

~Gawd, I know it’s too late but Angels is so wooorth watching! Al Pacino gives me the creeps. The good kind of creeps, that is. And Justin Kirk, the AIDS guy, is just amazing. He was so beautiful and witty, I wonder why the Emmy’s and Globe’s went to the African-Am nurse guy (Belize/Jeffrey Wright) instead of him. And yeah, Joe/Patrick Wilson’s performance is moving. Most of his scenes brought me to too much tears you could see me crying inconsolably. He’s emotionally dense and teeming with feelings. And he looks cute, too. And we know that when Meryl is given a role, she always delivers.

~I love shameless self-promotion emenn. That voice just gave me an apparition. Remember when Justin Kirk was visited by the Angel? I think I just had that feeling!

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@BOB: Nakaka-inlove ba bob? Selos naman ako bob. Hmphf.
~I have a thing pa naman for guys who can sing well. Like you and emenn. =)

@DAIZUKE: Haha! I know! Para bang bigla akong nainspire ng Angels in America and my active desktop, hence, the triumvirate of angel articles. Don’t worry, ako rin naman eh, gusto ko ring lumipad, kahit “on the wings of love” lang. Hahaha.
~Wholesome naman ang blog ko ha?! Hahaha. Happy weekend daizuke! Mwah too.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@JOSH: I think I was inspired by an angel while I was writing this entry, josh. I really have nothing to post yesterday but after watching Angels in America it was like I’m so inspired to post something angel-related, hence, the 3 stories. It just so happened that the image in my active desktop is an angel after all. So there.
~I just watched/downloaded the series off the Net, I’ll tell you where you can download the missing episodes josh. I have watched some parts in cable yeeeaaarrss ago, but mostly broken episodes. Super late na kaya siya ipalabas sa HBO. =)

~The first thing that I’d like to do when I visit New York (and/or Jerusalem) is to visit the Bethesda/Bethsaida healing fountain/pool. Some aspect of my life definitely warrants some healing. Hahaha.
~My desktop image is reminiscent of the 4th panel in my header. I have a set of angel images with such similar theme, and they are, in fact, taken in the cemetery halls. The mood in this blog seemed to turn a little gloomy isn’t it? =)

Anonymous said...

the first time i've heard about angels in america, i knew it's going to be good. sadly, i missed everything on hbo. haha. i hope i can see it soon, one of these days. nice entry, nurse ruff!

i moved to a new ad, by the way. :)

Anonymous said...

this is a good norture for the mind. thanks for the knowledge ruff ;)

about the desktop thing, angel na angel tlga ha. it's so cute. ;)

mrs.j said...

pwede na nga eh i so love her sa scene ng hiniwa ang fez!

Emeniano Acain Somoza, Jr. said...

Ruff... - Thanks for putting in those glowing words on my raspily mangled version of Sarah McLachlan's Angel though at the time of the mangling, I admittedly didn't feel any iffiness or what, remorse?! I just feel like displaying my teeth, tongue and tonsils come what may, with or without Sarah's endorsement. LOL! Enough said, yes, let's link up...Couldn't wait to be your cyber-buddy.

Winter said...

im loving lips of an angel...

KC said...

Thank god. I have a hard time expalining. Wehe. Natawa ako sa cute interns. They're also my angels...archangels at that *lol*

OT: Ako rin, I prefer lola Locsin to papa Panganiban...

bob said...

@ruff: ahaha! you've got to admit he's got a voice! :p

"cute interns" - whooshooo! hehe

Anonymous said...

hehehe, yeah ruff d 'cute interns" gets our vote! I knew it, dat angel looks familiar... happy "all hollows eve!" Now abt dat Oktuber feast... and all d museum...

Coldman said...

I have not watched Angels in America yet but soon. Bigla kong naalala ang post mo si Josh dahil sa mga angels. Have a great day nurse ruff!

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@ACEY: Angels is really good. I could watch that series over and over again and end up in awe each and every time. Such a beautiful and classic masterpiece.
~Thanks for the appreciation. Will take note of that ;D

@PRINCESS JACKIE: You're always welcome princess. Cute indeed, but it still evokes a feeling of sadness and melancholy, don't you think? =)

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@MRS. J: Hahaha. I agree. I enjoyed Sam in his naked glory better though. =)

@EMENN ESSE: I prefer the term bold and brazing rather than mangled and raspy. =) The obsessive-compulsive part of me unconsciously clicked "the full list" link (without me knowing haha) and the next thing I knew I was listening to a male version of Diana Ross and Celine Dion. I, for one, liked your voice -- it was deep, controlled, and mellow: the one they termed as the bedroom-type. I wonder what more you're hiding in that arsenal of yours!
~And I knew Sarah wouldn't mind. =)

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@TONSKIE, PORTABLE B*TCH: Could you elaborate further. Hahaha. Just kidding.

@KC: I totally get your point KC. Cute interns are my angels kc they make rounds a little less boring and a lot more enjoyable, its just that in the clinical setting, mas marami pang alam ang mga nurses kaysa sa kanila. Residents are mytrue angels. Mabait na, marami pang alam. Hahaha.
~Go Darna!

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@BOB: I know! It's so manly right. It's like having an auditory orgasm. Parang yung na-feel ko nung pinapakinggan ko yung "Good Morning Beautiful!" I swear!
~"Cute Interns" --- sabi nga ni Kiks, I'm the Meredith Grey of the USTH eh, minus the sex part, that is. Hahaha.

@JOSH: Hahaha. Cute interns kayo dyan?! =)
~Yup josh, they're the cemetery angels. I prefer them sad and gloomy than cheery and jolly. They're so ME! Hahaha.
~JOSH?! Our Oktobeerfest inhumane party?

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@COLDMAN: Exactly!!! This entry is exuding so much good vibes I feel so saint-like or something. Like josh. Hahaha..
~Have a great day too coldman! =)

bob said...

@ruff: B.O.L.A. hahahahaha!

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@BOB: You know me too well bob. Hahaha. Just kidding. =)
~Er, have a great week bob! =)

kalansaycollector said...

hindi ko pa napapanood yang angels in america.

pero nakakaintriga nga kung totoong may angel o wala. pero pag humaharap ako sa salamin parang may angel akong nakikita. wahaha. chos.

pero minsan gusto kong maniwala na meron. wala namang mawawala hindi ba?;p

john be anonymous said...

angels do exist, i'm here.. hahaha.. seriously, angels are everywhere, i so-called them 'konsensya', biglang bubulong, hala ano yang ginagawa mo? hahaha.. baka praning lang ko.. cool entry.. :)

engz said...

ay naiinggit ako sa desktop background mo. saan mo po nakuha yan? peyborit kong kanta yun.huhu.

uy ha.si bob,lagi dito.hmmm

Dabo said...

thanks dude..

chase / chubz said...

hala.. ang nice ng desktop moh..
i like angels. angels like papa ruff. hehehahha

anyway, i heard about angels in america. i should try watching that.
my mom recomemded me that show.
too bad ala kaming cable.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@KALANSAY COLLECTOR: The absence of proof is not a proof of it's absence ika nga ng Cardio lecturer ko. I believe they do exist. It's just that I can feel them. I guess that's called faith. Believing in something unseen, it is.