Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs

1A Canticle in steps. Blessed are all those who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways.

2For you will eat by the labors of your hands. Blessed are you, and it will be well with you.

3Your wife is like an abundant vine on the sides of your house. Your sons are like young olive trees surrounding your table.

4Behold, so will the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

5May the Lord bless you from Zion, and may you see the good things of Jerusalem, all the days of your life.

28And one of the scribes, who had heard them arguing, drew near to him. And seeing that he had answered them well, he questioned him as to which was the first commandment of all. 29And Jesus answered him: “For the first commandment of all is this: ‘Listen, O Israel. The Lord your God is one God. 30And you shall love the Lord your God from your whole heart, and from your whole soul, and from your whole mind, and from your whole strength. This is the first commandment.’ 31But the second is similar to it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32And the scribe said to him: Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth that there is one God, and there is no other beside him; 33and that he should be loved from the whole heart, and from the whole understanding, and from the whole soul, and from the whole strength. And to love one’s neighbor as one’s self is greater than all holocausts and sacrifices.” 34And Jesus, seeing that he had responded wisely, said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to question him.