Let Jesus’ teachings on love guide social responsibility framework, guest speaker advises

Riverside, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2018) — “Jesus has called us to love one another, period,” Antonio Mejico Jr. told a California Baptist University audience on Feb. 15.

Mejico, a director at Olive Crest, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing child abuse, spoke at the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ Culture and Justice Lecture Series.

Mejico expanded on John 13:35 (NASB): “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

“The commandment to love one another comes with a responsibility,” Mejico said. “I believe Jesus’ commandment makes us responsible to love, serve and heal our communities.”  

Jesus’ command includes serving those who have been hurt and have hurt others.

“One of the things I appreciate about CBU is that you guys walk that walk,” Mejico said to the students in attendance. “I know of some [master of social work] students who are serving folks who are incarcerated and providing parenting classes to them.” 

In loving one another and doing the best we can at it, we will affect the lives of others and in the process begin to transform the community around us, Mejico added.

“We need to hone the gifts that we have been given by God to ultimately love one another,” Mejico said.

Mejico encouraged students to pursue a calling that would allow them to use their talents and gifting to serve others.