Nihil Obstat

Sebastian’s Reply

“In Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited,” the agnostic Charles Ryder engages in a casual conversation about Christianity with his lax but Catholic friend Sebastian Flyte. Charles says, “But my dear Sebastian, you can’t seriously believe it all. I mean about Christmas and the star and the three kings and the ox and the ass.” Sebastian replies, “Oh yes, I believe that. It’s a lovely idea.” Charles presses him, “But you can’t believe things because they’re a lovely idea.” To which Sebastian simply responds, “But I do. That’s how I believe.”

From the Christmas 2006 Magnificat.

Merry Christmas!