When the Unknown Becomes Known

Yesterday’s news… Michelle and John Wylie Scottish wedding was a wonderful day but… on the wedding photographs there was an unknown stranger. They’ve been trying to discover his identity for four years. Finally, they’ve found the mystery man…

Andrew Hillhouse was supposed to be at another wedding two miles away. He realised he was at the wrong venue when he saw the bride! Later he went to the wedding he’d planned to attend… where guests enjoyed his mishap.

The unknown’s become known. Michelle and Andrew have met and laughed together.

This morning’s reading… A nameless woman has suffered with constant bleeding for twelve years. Doctors are unable to cure her. Desperate, she secretly touches the fringe of Jesus’ robe and she’s immediately healed.

Jesus knows that power has gone out of him and says, ‘Who touched me?’ The unknown, unnoticed woman steps forward. Initially there’s embarrassment. Her secret, her identity, her condition has become public. But she has peace and healing.

On 13^th September 1944… Noor Inayat Khan, Britain’s first female Muslim war hero, was executed by the German SS. After a privileged upbringing in London and Paris in 1940 she joined the British armed forces.

In 1943, a member of the Special Operations Executive, Churchill’s organisation of spies and saboteurs, she trained as a radio operator… liaised with Resistance fighters… sent to France… betrayed… imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp.

When the unknown became known Noor Inayat Khan was executed… but in Britain, in 1949, she was awarded the George Cross for ‘the most conspicuous courage’.

We often demand that the unknown becomes known – in politics, in our communities, in our families. It might involve… truth and justice… a demand for salacious gossip… a joy in others misfortunes…

When the unknown becomes known… with Michelle and Andrew there was curiosity and a joke… with the unnamed woman there was embarrassment, but healing and peace… with Noor Inayat Khan there was death, but courage and honour.

It’s not as straightforward as some would make out!