Replies

It is an outward sign of an inward repentance.

It is a washing away of original and personal sin.

So if Mary's extra something was not this being "full of grace" as we have seen, then what was it?

Her being called "full of grace" testifys to her being sinless from her conception until the Annunciation. There was no baptism and there were no other sacraments. Any other human alive at the time would have original sin for sure and personal sin on their souls.

Besides being born without original sin, Mary also was given a special grace of perseverance, to allow her to live her entier life without sin.

Some special strength on her part? She was fully human right?

Yes, she was fully human. Any "special strength" she had was because God gifted her with it. But isn't that true of all of us?

*** It is a washing away of original and personal sin.***

One can be saved, i.e. receive the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the regeneration and sanctification that that implies BEFORE baptism. See the story of Cornelius in Acts.

***Besides being born without original sin, Mary also was given a special grace of perseverance, to allow her to live her entier life without sin.***

Is there any Scriptural support for these beliefs?

The fact of the matter is that the Scriptures single out only ONE person as being sinless. This had to be made explicitly clear, because if Jesus was not sinless then his sacrifice would be ineffective.

In the narrative of the NT, Mary is seen as being on the same level as the other faithful followers of Jesus. Mary is not seen as the exalted mediator (-trix) the RCC makes her out to be. As proof I offer...

"While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.

But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"

And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

***Any "special strength" she had was because God gifted her with it. But isn't that true of all of us?***

Not if the supposed "special strength" is in conflict with the clear witness of the Bible, i.e. "All have sinned..."