Most Holy Among the Holy

I cannot really remember which day among the days of Simbang Gabi but I really loved the homily of the guest priest in our parish that morning. He got me listening intently because he was a great storyteller and his jokes made sense. Then he said something that goes like, "You would know the genuine holy or pious people among those who aren't when they get to see beauty and stuff without the green-eyed monster inhabiting their heads. Instead they appreciate what others have and praise them, not wanting it for themselves." It is a bit hard to explain because the priest said it in kapampangan and it works in that dialect. But still, the gist is like you will truly know how genuine a holy person is when he sees and appreciate something another person possesses but the holy man would compliment the other without saying things like "I wish I had the same." or thinking something like "Ah, he only has that because blah blah blah..." It struck me a bit, then I tried to think over if I am like that. Well, I'm no saint so of course most days I think like a not-so-holy person. But I also thought of the countless times I get to appreciate others just like the genuine holy man simply by saying how pretty they look or what a nice thing they have, out of admiration. Just like what I wrote on my Instagram account, "I easily coo over anything." and when I do admire something I am not shy in giving compliments and such. I just think you won't lose anything by doing that and yet you can still make someone smile or maybe brighten up his day. It's like a Pareto improvement, there is no harm done but someone was better off. Makes sense, huh? I just think maybe we should compliment and say nice things more to others. It is a nice habit and we'll feel good just by doing so. There is utility from doing good.