Agony of choice

You either stick it out with him, or walk out on him. You cannot remain neutral. This was what happened to the followers of Christ, after hearing his moral – political platform, as recorded in today’s Gospel reading (Jn. 6:60-69). And when your time is up, you either die a hero or an anti-hero. Like a Ninoy Aquino or a Ferdinand Marcos.

Both were called by Christ to follow him all the way. Ninoy experienced many spiritual moments while in prison. Marcos went on a spiritual retreat every Holy Week. Yes. The agony of choice!

We just commemorated Ninoy’s death anniversary a few days ago, and we are approaching the birthday anniversary of the late dictator Marcos in a few weeks. They had both listened to the same Christ inviting them to stick it out with him – but his message was tough to take. Very tough indeed. And many turned their backs and left him.

"Will you also go away?" Jesus asked after many had left. And Peter answered, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

Eternal Life. What does that mean? Like Peter, Ninoy stayed. And like Peter, Ninoy was killed. Marcos chose the opposite and left. But he, too, died. Which kind of death would you want to experience when your time is up? You either die for the Lord, or you die for yourself. The agony of choice.

"To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Eternal life, even here on earth. A life that refuses to die, even after mortal death. That is Ninoy Aquino in the present tense.

The vision and ideals of Ninoy cannot and will not die, for they are inspired by the God of love, justice, and peace. In his Testament From a Prison Cell, Ninoy crafted his "Christian Democratic Vision." We read in part:

"In time, I came to accept: Capitalism must be reformed by an ideology that will restore the original balance between economic and political freedom. Capitalism must be corrected by vigorous antimonopoly legislation, supplemented more positively by social welfare and security measures that now exist. Basic economic decisions must be made by the community – the government – and not by the private owners of the means of production. More efficient national economic planning must be adopted to husband our meager resources and bring the greatest good to the greatest number….Ultimately, all basic and strategic means of production must come under social ownership to ensure equitable proration of the national wealth and to safeguard the national interest."

With all this in heart, Ninoy came back home from exile, risking his very life, for nth time. The columnist Teddy Benigno, a friend of Ninoy, recalls what propelled the latter to take that fatal risk. In Ninoy’s own words: "I have to be on the ground floor because Mr. Marcos is a dying man and I have to be able to talk to him, if only for an hour. This will be our rendezvous with history. I will reach out to Mr. Marcos’ heart, and there I will find a concealed Jesus Christ. There is a Christ in every man. I will stir that Christ to life, convince the dictator to join hands with me, and together we shall liberate the people and restore democracy." (From The Philippine STAR, August 18, 2003).

He was never given the chance to carry this out. But let us keep this modern-day Rizal fresh in our memories. And in our personal spheres of moral influence, let us keep Ninoy’s "Christian Democratic Vision" alive in our hearts, and propel us into continuing action over the long haul. My deepest faith tells me that somehow, someday, in God’s own time and providence over our people, Ninoy’s vision will come true.