What Gifts Will You Bring?

Praeparemus nos in occursum magni Regis, ut pium inveniamus quem nullus effugere valeat. Quid vero muneris in manibus feramus, quotidie cogitandum est, dicente Scriptura: Non appareas vacuus in conspectu Domini Dei tui. Nulla ibi metallorum species, nullus gemmarum fulgor, nulla vestium vanitas, nullus saeculi luxus, ipso aequissimo Judice, acceptabilis erit. Nisi sola eleemosynarum largitio, et meritorum multiplicatio bonorum proderit. Quidquid hic geritur, illic dijudicatur. Et omnis bonitas praemio coronabitur perpetuo, omnisque iniquitas aeternis damnabitur tormentis. Haec animis inhaereant nostris, hoc prudens praevideat cautela. Ne illa die inops bonorum meritorum lugeat anima; sed ut de simplici gaudeat bonitatis fructu, maxima cura cogitandum est. Alcuinus, Epistola LXX, Ad Speratum Episcopum Source: Migne PL 100.241d-242a

Let us be prepared for the coming of the Great King, that we may be found holy by Him whom no one is able to escape. What gifts we will bring in our hands must be daily thought upon, as Scripture says: 'Do not appear empty handed in the sight of the Lord your God.' 1 There no display of metal, no brightness of jewels, no pride of garments, no luxury of the world, shall be acceptable to the most just Judge. Only an abundance of mercy and good works will profit one. Whatever you have done here shall be judged there. Every goodness will be crowned with perpetual reward, every iniquity damned to eternal torment. Let these things be fixed in our souls, let the prudent foresee for his caution. Let it not be that on that day there is the lamentation of a soul poor in good works, but rather let it be that a soul rejoices with the simple fruit of goodness; this must be thought to be our greatest care. Alcuin of York, from Letter 70, To the Bishop Speratus 1 Sirach 35.4