From the early days of the Church as manifested in today's second reading, there was a clear awareness of different ways of being Christian and of serving God: "a variety of gifts". Unfortunately, differences can divide so there was also an emphasis in the New Testament on the need for unity. Fortunately unity among ourselves is not a mere human accomplishment: unity is a gift of the Holy Trinity: Paul is encouragingly emphatic: "always the same Spirit; always the same Lord, always the same God". In general all forms of comparison are odious and tendentious leading to unhappiness and jealousy. Difference is to be welcomed and celebrated. The Church is enriched enormously on all levels by its variety of gifts and fostered by "all sorts of service" When we speak of "Church Unity" we are often referring to the unity of the different Christian denominations. That is important, but let us care for our unity right down to the local level so that we manifest the presence of the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God. The more we are united in our great diversity, the more we will be enlightened, strengthened and encouraged by Mary's injunction: "Do whatever he tells you."