Why did she say, "Let it be done unto me"? Why did the angel not leave until he after he heard from Mary? Why did the Conception not take place until after Mary spoke?
(Wait, wait, don't tell me. You don't know the answer to any of these questions, but there's no reason to be concerned about the answers.)
As if a Hebrew girl would turn down the choice of being the mother of Christ. Luke records the interaction so we’d have an accurate record of what happened.
The angel told her what was going to happen to her. She didn’t have any choice in the matter.
She could do it in a spirit of submission or not, but it was going to happen.
And do you honestly think that God did not already know how she was going to respond even if He did need per permission?
Or do you think that there would be a Jewish virgin who would say *No* to being told she would be the mother of the Messiah?
God’s plan of salvation did not hinge on any one person’s cooperation.
So true, for the Book records:
Luke 1:26-38 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)26 And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.
33 And of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man?
35 And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shalt come upon thee, and the power of the most High shalt overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shalt be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36 And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren:
37 Because no word shalt be impossible with God.
38 And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.(shall / shalt is NOT 'asking' Mary if she'll do something for GOD)
This is not CONSENTING, as the angel TOLD her what WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
What Mary said after that fact had NO influence on what WAS going to take place!