And, in case you came in late, our teaching is that Mary was sinless not, so to speak, intrinsically, but by an anticipatory or "proleptic" gift of Christ. (Thank you, Duns Scotus.)That is she WOULD have been born into sin but - because God has a different approach to time from ours - Christ's saving work was applied to her, so to speak, "in advance".
As to WHY we think that, I can say this, which is not meant to be dispositive. Back when I was a Protestant clergydude, it hit me one day that Mary had said a "Yes" to God's request to use her entire being. And subsequent to that yes, She brought perfect Love into the world.
And, enthusiastic sinner that I am, even I want to bring Love into the world. And so I'd like to say Mary's "yes". But I can't. The minute I give myself to God, I snatch myself back. If Gabriel had come to me, I would have said, "Well, sort of, I guess, maybe okay, but can I have my lawyer look at the fine print first?" and then I would have tried to weasel out of it.
So, in my graced moments I want to share in Christ's work. And in my graced moments I want to give a whole-hearted, unreserved, "yes" to God. But I see I cannot do that without extraordinary Grace.
So I conclude that Mary had extraordinary Grace. And, as the moon is wonderfully beautiful, shining not with its own light, but with the light of the Sun, but still helping me make my way through the night, so Mary shines with reflected light and guides me as I walk the way of sinful penitent pilgrims.I see by the sun, but I am very grateful for the moon.
“Actually, don’t we have to say that Adam and Eve were born without sin? So would that make at least three exceptions to Paul’s blanket statement?”
The Bible verses don’t say ‘born into sin’. They say none are without sin, no, not one.
The only exception is Jesus. :*)
Thank you for your enthusiasm about your beliefs! It is obvious you believe very deeply, and I thank you for sharing your joy. :-)