Francis' Vision

Francis had no thought of his future, but was caught up in his father’s textile business and his father’s wealth.  The Lord desired to give Francis insight, so he afflicted Francis with a disabling illness.  Once Francis had recovered, he dressed in his fine clothes and went out.  After leaving, Francis met a soldier who was of noble birth, but had fallen on hard times, and was dressed poorly.  Francis immediately took off his outer garments and gave them to the man, showing his honor to a former soldier and his compassion for a poor man.

That night, Francis slept and dreamed of approaching a huge, opulent castle, filled with banners and shields that bore the cross of Christ.  When he asked the occupants whose they were, he was told that they were his and that all the soldiers were his to command.  

When he awoke in the morning, he knew that the dream had been given to him by God, so he thought how he might act to receive this wonderful prize.  So he walked to Apulia, where a wealthy count was battling.  He thought that to win glory in war was certainly a way to obtain great riches.

On his way to the city, he heard the voice of God speaking to him as if He were a friend, saying, “Francis, who can provide you the greater reward: the wealthy man or the poor man?” 

Francis immediately answered: “Well, the wealthy one, of course.”

The Lord then said, “Then why do you seek help from the servant instead of the Lord, from a poor mortal instead of the wealthy God?”

Francis stopped and said, “Well, then, what should I do?”

He was told, “Go back home. The vision you saw was from the Spirit, and you must seek such wealth from God and not from human counsel.”

Francis rested overnight and then hurried back to Assisi, rejoicing and awaiting God’s instructions.

-Paraphrased from Bonaventure's Life of Francis, 1.2 and 1.3