Last Wednesday, I was texted by the Secretary-General of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines (Florenz Mosquera) regarding an emergency on-line meeting. So I immediately rushed to the computer shop in front of my dormitory.
While I was waiting for my other co-officers, I watched some video clips at youtube just to save myself from boredom. Then I thought of opening some video clips of Ninoy Aquino because his son Noynoy was the talk of the town that day. I really used to watch some of his videos since he is one of my favorite public speakers. (For clarification: I did not vote for Pres. Noynoy but I really wish him and his administration well.)
Then here comes an old episode of 700 Club which appeared on the right side of the monitor. I double clicked it. To my surprise, it was the American host of the said show interviewing the late Senator. So I focused for a while.
As I listened to the conversation, I was blessed! Ninoy talked about his days in solitary confinement, his harsh experiences during the dictatorship of former Pres. Marcos, the heart dsease which led to a by-pass operation and his lonely moments away from his family. I was blessed not because he suffered, but because of what his sufferings did to his faith.
During his incarceration, he had a better understanding of who and what God is. At first, he knew God as a tradition among Filipinos. He only needed God during elections but easily forgot Him after a sweet victory. In short, God was nothing more than a theory to Ninoy rather than a belief.
The late oppositionist asked: "Is there really a God? If there was, how could this happen to me?" Later, as he reflected, he started to realize that there is a God. If there isn't, why would it all happen to Ninoy? Who will reward him after all the trials that he faced? From then on, he had a deeper understanding of God. He found peace while in jail and got revived by the Holy Spirit.
Before the episode ended, the host related Ninoy's anecdote to that of Job. God allowed Job to suffer so as to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of who God is. The Almighty made Job ask so that he could fnd the real answers. Most of all, our Father made Job realize the beauty of God's purpose. In every encounter, there is a revelation. In every trial, there is manifestation of God's love and vindication.
So what was God's revelation to him? I think it was the grant of responsibility to liberate the nation from a wicked ruler which led to his heroism. Now, it is Ninoy's legacy and his name will forever be in the history books. That is how good God is.
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