Don't Touch Them! They Are Not Yours!

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)

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.