A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

One of the scribes who had listened to them debating and had observed how well Jesus had answered them, now came up and put a question to him: “Which is the foremost of all the commandments?”  Jesus replied, “This is the foremost: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Most High God is the only God. You must love the Most High God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.”

The scribe said to Jesus, “Well spoken, Teacher; what you have said is true: The Most High is one and there is no other.  To love God with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, this is far more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice.”  Jesus, seeing how wisely this scribe had spoken, said, “You are not far from the kindom of God.”  And after that no one dared to question Jesus any more.

The Good News as spoken through Mark.