February 17, 2010 1:09 PM

Biden's Forehead Shows Ash Wednesday Mark

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
White House
(AP)
Vice President Joe Biden appeared at an event marking the one-year anniversary of the economic stimulus package today with a noticeable black smidge on his forehead.

For many the mark was immediately recognizable as the ashes given to Catholics on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Biden, America's first Catholic vice president, also received ashes, which are meant to symbolize repentance and serve as a reminder of human mortality, last year.

On Wednesday morning, President Obama issued a statement commemorating Ash Wednesday, saying he and First Lady Michelle Obama "mark this solemn day of repentance and promise, knowing that Lent is a time for millions to renew faith and also deepen a commitment to loving and serving one another."

America has had one Catholic president, John F. Kennedy, but he was reportedly never photographed with ashes on his forehead.

Biden is a regular churchgoer who has said he believes his faith is consistent with his political views.

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by jamatta February 17, 2010 9:42 PM EST
The Lord gives us the proper teaching here: "When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites... For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting...But you when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face..so that you do not appear to men to be fasting ..and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matt. 6:16-18 If only RCatholics were encouraged to read Scriptures which has the gentle commands of the Lord for us to follow - saving us from pride and false religion.
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by Tony9712262 February 17, 2010 11:38 PM EST
Hey Jamatta, why don't u guys talking about ya'll Evangelical and Fundamentalist Churches who need to read it more carefully. Cause ya'll go out into the streets and pray, and don't forget about ya'll praying out and about around the flag pole, which EVERYONE can see ya'll guys. When Matthew 6:5 says "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them." I guess you're a hypocrite just by saying that Catholics don't follow the bible, when ya'll don't either.
by Tony9712262 February 17, 2010 11:45 PM EST
by the way...u should maybe go to a Catholic Mass one day, cause the bible is read during mass.
by billy377 February 17, 2010 8:21 PM EST
I never knew that walking around topless and getting really drunk with masks on was a Christian tradition...well it?s not, it?s just that today people don?t take religion very seriously and in the west we seem to make everything in to an excuse to have a good time. Traditionally this day is celebrated quite differently. I got a few ideas here <a href="http://ketiva.com/Arts_and_Humanities/lent_season.html">http://ketiva.com/Arts_and_Humanities/lent_season.html</a>
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by catfulloffun February 17, 2010 4:09 PM EST
You are all rude and disrespectful, but I guess that is what the people of this country are all about these days.
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by teufeldritch February 17, 2010 3:58 PM EST
How is this news? He is Catholic & observes Ash Wednesday. So what? BFD.
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by pragmatist1 February 17, 2010 3:49 PM EST
Although Catholics primarily receive ashes, now other Protestant denominations are also administering ashes to their faithful. I went and received mine at a local Catholic church. I'm reminded of how much better a person I can be during this time and reflect on my sins. Lent is a good time to reflect, repent and become a better person.
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by catfulloffun February 17, 2010 3:42 PM EST
I found the following comment after a story that Vice President Biden followed the Roman Catholic faith and recieved ashes on his forheard: "Biden you're such a goofball. Clean yourself up and get back to work." As a Roman Catholic, I find this extremely offensive. This is America and we need to respect one another's religious beliefs, and the fact that some people have no religion. Making fun of somebody's beliefs, religious or not, is really crass.
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by book_of_wally February 17, 2010 3:47 PM EST
Republicans never will accept differences in beliefs thats why I find it so odd that Catholics vote for them.
by california64 February 17, 2010 3:31 PM EST
I am hoping he will give up out of control spending for lent.
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by -One_American- February 17, 2010 3:22 PM EST
This time next year, the Marxist Obama, his agenda, and all his cronies will be nothing but ashes.
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by Brokennews February 17, 2010 3:21 PM EST
Humm.
Pelosi had that same mark on the back of her skirt.
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by -One_American- February 17, 2010 3:23 PM EST
Haw haw! Excellent!
by rightbehind February 17, 2010 2:48 PM EST
The whole time I was thinking why doesn't someone tell him he has an ink spot on his forehead. LOL!
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