Wisdom, as the third dynamic of our charism related to our primary discipline of listening, calls us to listen. The kind of creative and imaginative wisdom we are called to exercise requires humility and boldness that can only be released through embracing mystery. But embracing mystery is not automatic and must be cultivated through story because story changes our feel for the world. Regardless of what we may affirm intellectually, to act on the basis of true wisdom requires that we are not in the grip of a feel for the world as a closed place, permanently subject to evil and lacking in sufficient resources. Such a feel for the world causes us to see others as competitors instead of as collaborators. That kind of feel for the world doesn’t free us to find truly just, chivalric solutions to the brokenness of the world. The use of statist power to force “justice” upon others is not chivalric and only breads further injustice. But true wisdom that flows from the joy of discovery and exploration that comes with embracing mystery frees us in the Council of the Lord to find kingdomcultural solutions.
Also see Convergence, Council of the Lord, Empowerment, Listen, Mystery, Passion, and Transformation.