They're More Important Than You Realize
Rete (pronounced ree’-tee): a network of intersecting blood vessels or nerves.
Probably not a word you have used lately. Actually, the only time I’ve come across it is while working on crossword puzzles. Since rete is such a convenient word composed of some of the most common consonants and vowels, I thought it might have been invented just for crossword puzzle designers. Not true—it’s an old word according to the dictionary. Latin origin. No surprise there. I suspect that it was created during a heated 14th century Scrabble tournament. No wonder jousting became so popular. But I digress…
Rete (accent on the first syllable) describes one of God’s special systems that enables our bodies to function. In fact, without any rete, life is impossible. The brain could not communicate with the muscles, blood would not circulate. You get the picture.
And there are many retia in our bodies. You have probably heard them by another name: plexus (not to be confused with a popular Japanese car.) There’s the ever-popular solar plexus (abdomen,) the cardio plexus, pelvic plexus, etc. An injury to any of these would be life-threatening.
At this point you might be thinking you have picked up the New England Journal of Medicine rather than Grace Notes so let me direct your attention to one phrase of verse 24 in the 12th chapter of First Corinthians: “But God has so composed the body.” The word composed means mingled or mixed – picture a cluster of blood vessels or nerves like, why, like a rete! The Message paraphrases the verse this way: “The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church.” Our Lord knows life is impossible without meaningful connections, and these intricate connections are just as necessary for the Body we call the Church as they are to our physical bodies.
Each month there is a plethora (one of Pastor Bill’s favorite words) of retia at Grace. We identify them with less Latin-sounding names: Ladies Retreat, Men’s Breakfast, Dinners for Eight, Connection Sunday. These functions – and many others such as Care Groups and Bible studies – represent the life-sustaining connections that make Grace a healthy fellowship. I strongly encourage you to become a part of these communities. If you like, you can even drive your Plexus to them.
Blessings,
Pastor Dave