After being held as a prisoner for over a year, Francis returned to Assisi. Soon after his return, he became ill and required a long period of recovery. It was during this time of physical weakness that change began to take place within him.   

Sometimes a religious conversion is sudden and overwhelming, but that was not the case for St. Francis.  As he recovered, his thoughts began to turn to spiritual matters, things he had rarely considered before. But these things did not immediately take possession of Francis’ soul. God was working on him, but as many people do, Francis tried to avoid God’s grasp, vowing that he would do good deeds, but as a knight would, for glory.  

There is a well-known picture of Jesus standing outside a door and knocking. The interesting part about the image is that the door has no handle on the outside. It can only be opened from the inside. Choosing a relationship with God and entrusting ourselves to Him lies solely with us.  Francis faced the same choice. This period marked the beginning of a transition in his life. He did not fling the door open, but he was willing to opening it a crack.   

Jesus knocks at each of our doors.  How are we answering Him?

This week, let us consider how we respond when the Lord calls us. May we be willing, like Francis, to open the door to Him, even if only a little, and allow His grace to begin transforming our lives.