A better person

A quote attributed to Fr. Dacanay is, "The best way to find out whether you are in a genuinely loving relationship is to ask, Am I becoming a better person?" Fr. Dacanay, in his wisdom, chose the word "better" as opposed to "happier." To be the better person is to be kinder, gentler, more forbearing, more forgiving, more generous, more loving, none of which are concomitant with pleasure or freedom from pain. The happiness that comes with being the better person is sometimes akin to what Sirius Black must have felt in Azkaban--the cold comfort of knowing that you are doing the right thing.