By what authority are you doing these things?

The question posed to Jesus in today’s Gospel, “By what authority are you doing these things?” is not merely a search for truth; it is a question asked with closed hearts. The chief priests and elders are not really open to discovering the source of Jesus’ authority. Instead, they are trapped in fear, calculation, and self-preservation. Their inability to answer reveals something deeper: a lack of interior freedom to recognize God at work. In contrast, the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary presents us with a radically different response to divine authority. Virgin Mary did not question God’s authority in a spirit of resistance but received it in humility and faith. At the Annunciation, she asked, “How can this be?” not out of doubt, but out of openness. And when the mystery was revealed, she surrendered completely: “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Mary recognized God’s authority because her heart was attuned to Him. She was rooted in prayer, as today’s Psalm beautifully expresses: “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.” Her life was a continual “yes” to God’s will, even when it led her into uncertainty and suffering. The Letter of Jude invites us to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God.” This is the path to recognizing true authority, the authority that comes from God and leads to life. It is not about power or control, but about truth, love, and fidelity. Today, we are challenged to examine how we respond to God’s authority in our lives. Do we question with openness, like Mary, or do we resist like the religious leaders in the Gospel? Do we allow fear, pride, or comfort to cloud our judgment, or do we remain rooted in prayer and trust? True authority is recognized not by argument alone, but by a heart formed in prayer and love. Mary teaches us that when we remain close to God, we develop the clarity to recognize His voice and the courage to follow it.