Thought for the Day, 29 April 2006

Elaine Storkey

So Prince Harry launches an Aids charity in memory of his mother, Diana Princess of Wales. I suppose there is nothing particularly surprising about that. It's what we expect royalty to do; charities have depended on royal patronage for generations, to raise profile and funds. This charity also fits the tradition of establishing memorials for family members. It is a public acknowledgement of the emotional link between son and mother: a fitting symbol to celebrate her memory and concerns.

But there is something very contemporary and non-traditional here too, something which reflects our globalised, highly mobile world that loves experiences. The Prince represents an increasing number of people now able to travel the globe, to see for themselves the diversity of human societies. Many tourists from affluent cultures can observe the devastations of poverty and famine, can rub shoulders with the poorest people in the world. It's not unusual for people to visit countries where the Aids epidemic is acute, and see its effect in the emaciated bodies of its victims and the faces of its orphans. I come across many such global travellers on my own visits to Africa as President of Tearfund.

Yet there are dangers if we absorb a tourist mentality. For it can become simply one of collecting experiences, accumulating souvenirs, even photographing or reporting on what we see but then packing it all away in our collection of holiday CDs. We can go through the departure gate, clutch our boarding pass and leave it all behind. It's too easy to return to business as usual in our own affluent setting.

Meanwhile, lives elsewhere continue in the struggle against poverty and disease. Stephen Lewis, United Nations special envoy for HIV/Aids in Africa, asked a group of Zambian women living with Aids and supporting themselves by growing cabbages what they planned to do with the small surplus of profit from the sales. They were bewildered by the question. 'Buy coffins' was the obvious reply.

Christian theology has very little concept of tourism. Journeying, yes, but that is more ongoing and relational, about growing spiritually in our walk with God. It is also about entering into the lives of others, being challenged and changed by our experiences of their need. In Jesus's parable, the Good Samaritan was deeply affected by what he saw on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. But he didn't return to his own concerns and leave it behind. Instead he responded with neighbour-love, and saw the situation through to the end.

Prince Harry's trip to launch his charity was his fourth visit to the Aids orphans in Lesotho. In a fast-changing world of fads it opens a window on the heart of Jesus's parable - the need for ongoing commitment to others. In his own words the prince explains: 'It would be weird not to come back. I am committed for the rest of my life.'