Acts 11:19-26 / John 10:22-30
It is always more comfortable and easier to relate with and to deal with our own kind. We know who we are talking to and the possible reactions that might arise.
Also we will feel more secure in terms of culture and language and even habits and practices.
Going out of this comfort zone would mean risks and possible failures and even hostile reactions.
In the 1st reading, we heard that as the disciples fled the persecution, they preached the Good News of Jesus Christ only to the Jews as they went along.
Then as they moved further on, some started preaching to the Greeks. The Lord helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord.
This news even reached back to the church in Jerusalem and it caused some alarm so much so that Barnabas had to be sent to see what was the matter about.
This new development eventually gave the disciples and those who believed in the Good News a new identity - they were called "Christians".
Certainly it was a development that was initiated by God and the results bear witness to the work of the hand of God.
We who believe are called "Christians". And just like the early disciples who went out and preached the Good News to non-Jews, it is also our mission to preach the Good News to non-Christians.
It will involve risks and it won't be comfortable and we won't know what to expect.
But let's live up to our identity as Christians, and God will help us with the rest.