Our priest said "No Gum"

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jmcrae said:
Canon Law seems to be absolutely clear, here.

Jimmy Akin’s “gum is not food” argument misses the point - gum is neither medicine nor water, so it does not belong your mouth within the hour preceding Holy Communion.
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Keep in mind that I am not personally a gum-before-mass type. But this particular argument you’ve presented doesn’t hold up, logically.

The Canon Law is clear. To repeat: “Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine.”

It does not say: “Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to refrain from putting any object in the mouth for at least one hour before holy communion…”

I think we can agree that you are not breaking the communion fast if you chew on a pencil eraser, insert a dental retainer, swallow your own saliva, floss your teeth, or apply lipstick (which incidentally is not calorie-free) within an hour of receiving Holy Communion. It is clear that none of those objects are classified as food or drink, even if they are present in our mouths.

The issue of whether or not gum is to be classified as a “food” is really key in determining whether or not this particular piece of Canon Law prohibits gum. Canon 919 only applies to objects that fit under the categories of “food” or “drink”, so if gum is neither one of those things, it is not expressly prohibited during the fast. Jimmy Akin’s argument (regardless of whether or not we agree with his conclusion) is completely relevant, not “missing the point”.
 
JezuUfamTobie said:
Keep in mind that I am not personally a gum-before-mass type. But this particular argument you’ve presented doesn’t hold up, logically.

The Canon Law is clear. To repeat: “Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine.”
It does not say: “Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to refrain from putting any object in the mouth for at least one hour before holy communion…”

I think we can agree that you are not breaking the communion fast if you chew on a pencil eraser, insert a dental retainer, swallow your own saliva, floss your teeth, or apply lipstick (which incidentally is not calorie-free) within an hour of receiving Holy Communion. It is clear that none of those objects are classified as food or drink, even if they are present in our mouths.

The issue of whether or not gum is to be classified as a “food” is really key in determining whether or not this particular piece of Canon Law prohibits gum. Canon 919 only applies to objects that fit under the categories of “food” or “drink”, so if gum is neither one of those things, it is not expressly prohibited during the fast. Jimmy Akin’s argument (regardless of whether or not we agree with his conclusion) is completely relevant, not “missing the point”.
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What happens when we chew gum. Doesn’t our saliva mix with the flavorings, sugar, etc. We are actually mixing Kool Aide in our mouths. Kool Aide is not water—so yes we break the fast.
 
Walking_Home said:
What happens when we chew gum. Doesn’t our saliva mix with the flavorings, sugar, etc. We are actually mixing Kool Aide in our mouths. Kool Aide is not water—so yes we break the fast.
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The thing is, we aren’t yet in agreement regarding how we define food and drinks other than water. Do we define food as something that contains calories? I wouldn’t. You swallow thousands of skin cells with your saliva, along with whatever bacteria or microscopic food particles happen to be in your mouth at the time. Skin cells are particles of meat (a food) and contain calories. But that doesn’t break the fast, obviously. A woman who puts on lipstick and then licks her lips may consume some plant or animal products that contain calories. That doesn’t break the fast either.

Nobody chews gum with the intent of providing liquid or nourishment to oneself, so I still don’t think it is clearly within in the category of food. I mean, one of the common ingredients in gum is wax. Sure, it’s non-toxic, but I wouldn’t serve it at dinner.

I think you do made a good case that heavily sugared, flavored gums are intended to be used like candy… but a minty stick of sugar-free trident isn’t intended to be a “treat”. It’s more like deodorant that goes in your mouth. Since apologists seem divided on the matter and the Church doesn’t come straight out and say that we can or cannot chew gum during a fast, I think we’re probably safe in making a personal call for now.
 
JezuUfamTobie said:
The thing is, we aren’t yet in agreement regarding how we define food and drinks other than water. Do we define food as something that contains calories? I wouldn’t. You swallow thousands of skin cells with your saliva, along with whatever bacteria or microscopic food particles happen to be in your mouth at the time. Skin cells are particles of meat (a food) and contain calories. But that doesn’t break the fast, obviously. A woman who puts on lipstick and then licks her lips may consume some plant or animal products that contain calories. That doesn’t break the fast either.

Nobody chews gum with the intent of providing liquid or nourishment to oneself, so I still don’t think it is clearly within in the category of food. I mean, one of the common ingredients in gum is wax. Sure, it’s non-toxic, but I wouldn’t serve it at dinner.

I think you do made a good case that heavily sugared, flavored gums are intended to be used like candy… but a minty stick of sugar-free trident isn’t intended to be a “treat”. It’s more like deodorant that goes in your mouth. Since apologists seem divided on the matter and the Church doesn’t come straight out and say that we can or cannot chew gum during a fast, I think we’re probably safe in making a personal call for now.
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What ever is in our mouths–skin cells --saliva—is there biologically. When a woman puts on lipstick–she applies it to her lips–the intend is not to bite into it and chew it.

The Church is not divided on the matter. She said—medicine and water. If She wanted gum—She would have said gum.

Because beer is not mention—should we then-take a swig of beer at Mass time. Or how about a couple of sips of rum.
 
Walking_Home said:
Because beer is not mention—should we then-take a swig of beer at Mass time. Or how about a couple of sips of rum.
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Oh no!😦 Beer or other alcoholic beverages would be prohibited. Any beverage besides water is a no-no. Unsweetened tea or coffee, or diet soda are not allowed either.
 
Walking_Home said:
What ever is in our mouths–skin cells --saliva—is there biologically. When a woman puts on lipstick–she applies it to her lips–the intend is not to bite into it and chew it.

The Church is not divided on the matter. She said—medicine and water. If She wanted gum—She would have said gum.

Because beer is not mention—should we then-take a swig of beer at Mass time. Or how about a couple of sips of rum.
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I’m getting the impression that I didn’t manage to convey my main points to you very well. I’ll give it one more try:

Regarding pre-communion fasting, the Church didn’t say “absolutely nothing in the mouth but water and medicine!”

The Church said “no eating any food except water and medicine.”

If gum is not food, it doesn’t count. If it’s food, it counts.

Some people think gum is food. Others don’t–including some major apologists with years of education and experience in matters of Canon Law and the Catholic Faith.

You are free to choose either interpretation with no fear of sinning. Personally, I’ll stick with the apologists. 🙂
 
JezuUfamTobie said:
I’m getting the impression that I didn’t manage to convey my main points to you very well. I’ll give it one more try:

Regarding pre-communion fasting, the Church didn’t say “absolutely nothing in the mouth but water and medicine!”

The Church said “no eating any food except water and medicine.”

If gum is not food, it doesn’t count. If it’s food, it counts.

Some people think gum is food. Others don’t–including some major apologists with years of education and experience in matters of Canon Law and the Catholic Faith.

You are free to choose either interpretation with no fear of sinning. Personally, I’ll stick with the apologists. 🙂
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I did ask the question in “Ask an Apologist”. I’ll see if anybody answers.
 
Cavaille-Coll said:
Steak on a Friday in Lent is sugarless too.
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I’m sorry if you didn’t comprehend what I was saying. Generally, people understand that the only thing in gum that would have any nutritional consequence would be sugar (no fat, no protein, no minerals, no vitamins). Thus, my question. It’s rather obvious that there is a difference between steak on Friday in Lent and gum. AND there’s always a chance that one might actually forget one had gum in one’s mouth when one went to church (again, thus my question as to whether sugar content made a difference or not). I rather doubt anyone would forget that they were chewing on a T-bone in Mass (at least, not the people of my aquaintance, though I certainly cannot speak to your experience).
 
lak611 said:
I did ask the question in “Ask an Apologist”. I’ll see if anybody answers.
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That’s cool.

Another poster linked to this question on the AAA forum, in which Michelle Arnold replies that gum does not technically break the communion fast (but it really shouldn’t be chewed in church).
 
JezuUfamTobie said:
I’m getting the impression that I didn’t manage to convey my main points to you very well. I’ll give it one more try:

Regarding pre-communion fasting, the Church didn’t say “absolutely nothing in the mouth but water and medicine!”

The Church said “no eating any food except water and medicine.”

If gum is not food, it doesn’t count. If it’s food, it counts.

Some people think gum is food. Others don’t–including some major apologists with years of education and experience in matters of Canon Law and the Catholic Faith.

You are free to choose either interpretation with no fear of sinning. Personally, I’ll stick with the apologists. 🙂
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Gum is counted as a drink–since we make kool aide when we chew it. The Church does count what we drink.

Now as far as the Church not saying—absolutely nothing in the mouth but water and medicine. What do you think She means—with the sole exception. It means nothing–zip–nada except medicine and water.

We are to abstain from All food and drink–with the sole exeption of medicine and water.

Personally I will stick with what the Church says. You on the other hand are free to do as you wish.

Canon Law:

Can. 919 §1 Whoever is to receive the blessed Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from all food and drink, with the sole exception of water and medicine./B
 
Walking_Home said:
Personally I will stick with what the Church says. You on the other hand are free to do as you wish.
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Sorry sir, but I think you’ll have a hard time proving that the Church has taken an official position on whether or not chewing gum + spit = a beverage. At this point it’s just your private interpretation.

Personally, I wouldn’t pour myself a glass of that. 😉
 
JezuUfamTobie said:
Sorry sir, but I think you’ll have a hard time proving that the Church has taken an official position on whether or not chewing gum + spit = a beverage. At this point it’s just your private interpretation.

Personally, I wouldn’t pour myself a glass of that. 😉
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I would say–your position is worse. Proving regular gum is medicine or water.

Here I will say —there is some gum that does have medicinal purposes–for sore throat or something like that.

By the way—canon law says the sole exception is medicine and water. We do abide by canon law.
 
Walking_Home said:
I would say–your position is worse. Proving regular gum is medicine or water.

Here I will say —there is some gum that does have medicinal purposes–for sore throat or something like that.

By the way—canon law says the sole exception is medicine and water. We do abide by canon law.
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Yes, we do abide by Canon Law. :yup: And the prohibition in Canon 919 only applies to food and beverage. Since gum is arguably neither food nor beverage, there is no need to prove that it is medicine or water in order for it to be acceptable.

If you really, truly think gum is a food or beverage, maybe you should take it up with the professional apologists and try to win them over. I’m just not convinced by your arguments. Have a good night!
 
JezuUfamTobie said:
Yes, we do abide by Canon Law. :yup: And the prohibition in Canon 919 only applies to food and beverage. Since gum is arguably neither food nor beverage, there is no need to prove that it is medicine or water in order for it to be acceptable.

If you really, truly think gum is a food or beverage, maybe you should take it up with the professional apologists and try to win them over. I’m just not convinced by your arguments. Have a good night!
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You are changing it around—the sole exception is medicine and water. These are the only two allowed.

So unless you can prove gum is medicine or water—you are out of luck.

As I said prior—I will stick to the Church. You have the free will to find any loophole—that is up to you.
 
Folks:

You can agree to disagree…but please stop the personal bickering…no one has a corner on holiness or piety but we could all use some of the human milk of kindness…and it doesn’t break the fast!

Thanks for your help!
 
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