An Exhortation To Preaching

Pio Patri et prudenti magistro, nobisque cum omni amore amplectendo Theodulfo archiepiscopo, humilis levita Alcuinus salutem. Solent ex abundanti charitatis fonte verba fluere dulcudinius, quia quoddam refrigerium est aestuantis in amore cordis sermonibus ostendere, quod mente maxime tenetur. Unde ego privatae charitatis instinctu condictum amicitiae jus pietatis inuitu renovare cupiens, his litterulis vestrae sanctitati fidem meam in memoriam revocare volui, ne thesaurus memoriae longa oblivionis rubigine vilescat: maxime quia filius noster Candidius, vester fidelis famulus, plurima bonitatis insignia nobis de vestrae beatitudinis nomine narrare solet; vel quam libera voce in conventu publico veritatis testimonia pertulisset; vel quam honestis moribus inter majores minoresque personas tuae beatitudinis foret conversatio. Etiam quam pia et religiosa sedulitate ecclesiastica coleres officia; vel qualiter impias disceptationes odio haberes; quoniam omnia certissimum est Deo placare; et Sancti Spiritus gratiam tuo pectori abundanter influere demonstrant, et illam tuo corde ardescere flammam, quam ipsa Veritas testatur se mittere in terram, ut arderet, quoniam nullis poterit fluminibus extingui. Gaudens gaudebo de augmento honoris vestri et de sigillo sacerdotalis dignitatis, quod apostolica vobis superaddidit auctoritas; sed sciens scito quod hujus honoris claritas praedicationis poscit instantiam. Pallium sacerdotale diadema est. Sicut regium diadema fulgor gemmarum ornat, ita fiducia praedicationis pallii ornare debet honorem. In hoc enim honorem suum habet, si portitor veritatis praedicator existit. Memor esto sacerdotalis dignitatis linguam coelestis esse clavem imperii, et clarissimam castrorum Christi tubam; quapropter ne sileas, ne taceas, ne formides loqui, habens ubique operis tui itinerisque Christum socium et adjutorem. Nec enim fas est tam clari luminis, tam affluentis sapientiae lucernam sub modio abscondi, sed in honorem largitoris omnibus splendescere lumine veritatis, qui domum Dei ingrediuntur; quia messis quidem multa est, operarii autem pauci. Sed quo rariores, eo instantiores qui sunt esse necesse est. Exalta, ait Propheta, sicut tuba vocem tuam. Aliusque: Sit guttur tuum sicut aquila tuba super domum Dei. Multi occupant terram, sed quaerenti Christo fructum non afferent. Tua vero, vir venerande, sanctitas honoret ministerium tuum; praedica opportune, importune, et ut trapezeta sapiens multiplica pecuniam Domini, ut denaria mercede dignus efficiaris. Alcuinus, Epistola CXLVII, Ad Theodulfum Archiepiscopum Source: Migne PL 100.391b-393a

To the pious father and prudent teacher, with all our love embracing, Theodulf the archbishop, Alcuin, a humble priest, greetings. Words are accustomed to flow more sweetly from the abundant fount of charity, because there is a certain refreshment shown in the blazing words of a loving heart which is most firmly fixed in the mind. Whence I, by a kindling of private charity, desiring to renew the established right of pious friendship, with these words wished to recall to memory my faith to your holiness, lest the treasury of memory by blight of long forgetfulness be defiled, especially because our son Candidius, your faithful attendant, is accustomed to tell to us of the great fame of your kindness regarding the name of your holiness, or rather with free voice in public assembly he has brought forth the testimony of truth, or rather with frank behavour before the great and lesser he has revered your holiness. Indeed because with pious and sedulous you have adorned the ecclesiastical offices, and likewise you have reviled impious disputants, which all things are certainly most pleasing to God, and display most abundantly the grace of the Holy Spirit in your breast, which flame burning in your heart, the Truth Himself gives witness He has placed on the earth, 1 which flares up because no river is able to quench it. Rejoicing, then, I take joy concerning the increase of your honour and the seal of the priestly dignity, which the Apostolic authority has added to you; but knowing that, let it be known that with the glory of this honour is demanded a greater intensity of preaching. The priestly pallium is a diadem, and as the diadem of kingdoms is adorned by the brightness of gems, so confidence in preaching should adorn the honour of the pallium. And in this is its honour, if the preacher stands with a greater portion of the truth. Keep in mind that the tongue of the priestly dignity is the key of the heavenly kingdom and the most precious trump of the camps of Christ, whence do not be silent, do not hold your tongue, do not fear to speak, but everywhere in your works and ways have Christ your friend and helper. For it is not right that a bright light, a lamp of splendid wisdom, should be hidden beneath a bushel, but in a place of honour the light of truth illuminates more fully all who enter the house of God. 2 Because the harvest is plenty but the workers few, 3 as they are more rare, so it is needful that there be more present. 'Lift up,' says the Prophet, 'your voice like a trumpet.' 4 And another: 'May your throat be as the eagle, a trumpet over the house of God.' 5 Many dwell on the earth, but in the seeking of Christ they bear no fruit. But may your holiness, venerable fellow, honour your ministry. Preach in season and out of season, 6 and as you know how to multiply the money tables of the Lord, so you shall be worthy to receive a rich reward. 7 Alcuin of York, from Letter 147 to the Archbishop Theodulf 1.Lk 12.49 2 Mt 5.15 3 Mt 9.37 4 Isai 58.1 5 Hosea 8.1 6 2 Tim 4.2 7 Mt 25.14-30, Lk 19.11-27