It is common for young boys to dream about who they will be when they grow up. In Francis’ case, he imagined himself as a warrior, a knight-like figure with great valor and courage.  Not an uncommon dream for boys of that era.   

As a young man, Francis had an opportunity to act on this ambition.  When Assisi went to war with the neighboring town of Perugia, he joined many other men of his age to fight for his city.   

In many medieval accounts of knighthood, warriors spent many nights in prayer before they went off to battle, entrusting the outcome of their campaigns to God. Francis does not appear to have shared this need to trust in the Divine. His dreams of glory were centered on himself. He cast himself as the hero of the story, the one who would return to Assisi in triumph, a savior with no perceived need for the true Savior.  

As so often happens, events did not unfold as Francis imagined. He was wounded in battle and taken prisoner, spending a year in captivity before his release. In these difficult circumstances, God began His quiet work on his soul. The “still, small voice” of God began to shape Francis’ life during this time. He would begin to trust himself less and God more.  

We, too, are often tempted to trust in our own power, abilities, and intelligence to achieve our goals. Yet everything we possess comes from God, and when we entrust these gifts back to Him, they bear the greatest fruit. 
 

This week, let us reflect on where we place our confidence. May we learn to rely less on our own power and more on God, trusting that His guidance leads us to true success.