Every time this comes up - and also every time the perpetual virginity of the BVM comes up - it makes me curious.
Why are either of these things important?
I mean, all Christians accept that Jesus was fully God and fully man. There have been many debates, splits, and arguments, especially before 1000 AD, about exactly HOW he was both, but the underlying concept has never been in doubt.
So, as fully man, why should he not have been married? Or single? Neither state of life would be inconsistent with his life, his ministry, his miracles, nor his resumption of the Godhead after resurrection and ascension.
Similarly, his mother, Mary’s role in salvation history was surely her submission to the Lord’s direction to experience and to do what was literally unbelievable, then and now. After the birth of our Lord, what possible significance to the story of Emmanuel would it be whether or not she had a normal life with St. Joseph?
Any explanations would be welcome.
They're not. What is important is that one stays true to what is exactly written in scripture. What these types of exercises shows is just how far off into La-La Land we can venture and how teachable our hearts can be to right ourselves to the scriptures.
She 'submitted' nothing.
The angel TOLD what WAS going to happen.
Her feelings about the matter are non-essential.
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 ain't CONSENTING)