The hit-pieces against Pope Francis, for
daring to wash the feet of non-Christians, have been circulating
widely since Thursday. In a very juvenile post on the *Toronto
Catholic Witness,* the claim is made that the Holy Father violated
his own reform of liturgical law, by washing the feet of people who
are *not people of God.*
While "People of God" may be seen in an exclusive sense; referring only to those within the communion of the Church, it can also be seen in a more general sense in which it is meant that God is truly the Father of all; and thus all
people --whether they know and acknowledge it or not -- belong to
Him.
Thus, my response to these attacks is
best summed up by these words from the Gospel:
“And I have other sheep, that are
not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my
voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.”
(Jn 10:16, RSVCE)
(Jn 10:16, RSVCE)
My view is that Pope Francis believes
that a very good way of bringing these other sheep into the fold, is
to touch them -- literally and physically -- with the mercy and love
of Jesus Christ.
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