Our priest said "No Gum"

[DiscerningDave]

I think what Island Oak is saying is that they never thought about it.

Same here. A couple of weeks ago, just before Sunday Mass, I saw a young man chewing gum. He is about 14 and is the oldest of 6 children in his family. I see the family at Confession and the young man serves at the altar. All in all, he is from a “good Catholic” family.

I motioned to him, so he would come to see me. I very quietly asked if he was chewing gum. He said, “not any more.” It never occurred to him or to me that he may have broken the fast. It just wasn’t something I had thought about.

I think you and a lot of other people are in the same boat. I think of the chewing gum in mass as disrespectful to God, the priest, and the congregation. I understand it breaks the fast (despite what the apologist says) but I honestly believe some people don’t even think of it in that manner. To me it is a bigger deal if it is chewed in mass versus whether or not it breaks the fast. I understand in a perfect world we would have the best of both, but we don’t live in a perfect world. So, when it comes to adhering the laws and rules of the church…just do the best you can. God knows what is in your heart.

 

[boppaid]

Many times in Mass I’ve heard cell phones going off. You know, I can see if you’re a doctor or in an occupation where you need to be “on call” but at least but the thing on ‘vibrate.’ I leave mine in the car during Mass.

I was at a Baptist service one time and someone’s phone went off in the middle of an important part of the Pastor’s sermon. After 3 or so rings, he stopped and said “You wanna get that?” The guy was so embarrassed!

 

[boppaid]

I used to feel the same as you until my cell phone went off in Holy Mass.
It’s an emergency, pay by the minute phone.
I had no clue I had left it on.
for the very embarrassed person if theirs rings in Holy Mass.

That’s one of my biggest fears…forgetting to turn it off! Yikes!

 

[boppaid]

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”.

Good point. I hadn’t thought of it like that.

 

[vince2paul]

While reading this thread, I was thinking “why I never see people chewing gum in church?”

Then I realised that I am in Singapore, where it is banned!

 

[JezuUfamTobie]

In 1939 under the Food and Drug administration and Cosmetic Act, GUM WAS CLASSIFIED AS A FOOD! Which is the entire basis for the apologist’s answer. She states the reason gum is allowed is because it is not food. The FDA begs to differ.

Read this:

kosherquest.org/bookhtml/CHEWING_GUM.htm

Now here is a relevant, objective piece of information! Thanks for posting this.

What I’m seeing is that the word “food” (like most common words) has multiple definitions, both in the dictionary and in certain specialized fields. Some of these definitions, if applied to Canon 919, would prohibit gum. Others would allow it.

At this point, it would be useful to consult with an impartial linguist. But I think even if we did do so, there would still be some level of ambiguity. Because of this gray area, I am still convinced that gum is not expressly prohibited by the communion fast. Those who chew gum immediately before mass are not sinning, and those who refrain from doing so can be commended for their *extra *show of devotion (so long as they also refrain from lapsing into pharisaical behavior–since we know from scripture and Church teaching that such behavior renders our sacrifices worthless in God’s eyes).

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

This thread kind of reminds me of the water bottle thread. Can’t people keep stuff out of their mouths for the space of an HOUR?? People need to learn a little self-control.

:heart:Blyss

 

[paramedicgirl]

This thread kind of reminds me of the water bottle thread. Can’t people keep stuff out of their mouths for the space of an HOUR?? People need to learn a little self-control.

:heart:Blyss

Apparently, some cannot. I think it might have to do with perceived “rights”

 

[jmcrae]

While reading this thread, I was thinking “why I never see people chewing gum in church?”

Then I realised that I am in Singapore, where it is banned!

Very civilized, that.

 

[ElizabethAnne]

This thread kind of reminds me of the water bottle thread. Can’t people keep stuff out of their mouths for the space of an HOUR?? People need to learn a little self-control.

:heart:Blyss

Blyss,

I really don’t think that anyone on this thread was advocating gum chewing or looking for acceptable things to put in their mouths before Mass because they have some kind of lack of self-control.

Frankly, I think your post is unfair, and you may not mean it to sound judgemental, but it does.

God bless.

 

[Walking_Home]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlyssfulDreamer
This thread kind of reminds me of the water bottle thread. Can’t people keep stuff out of their mouths for the space of an HOUR?? People need to learn a little self-control.

:heart:Blyss

Apparently, some cannot. I think it might have to do with perceived “rights”

---

I agree. Some persons wants and desires—have become more important than our Lord.

 

[lak611]

Blyss,

I really don’t think that anyone on this thread was advocating gum chewing or looking for acceptable things to put in their mouths before Mass because they have some kind of lack of self-control.

Frankly, I think your post is unfair, and you may not mean it to sound judgemental, but it does.

God bless.

I don’t think it’s judgemental at all. Even 20 years ago, before that silly bottled water craze when we drank it from the tap and didn’t buy it, nobody took water to Mass. Come on, I’m only 37, so I don’t remember the old Eucharistic fast, but I have no problem waiting an hour for water (or gum) and don’t suspect most other people would either. I don’t purposely follow the 3 hour rule, but after thinking about it, I realise that I actually do fast 3 hours (no gum, food or water).

 

[JezuUfamTobie]

Blyss,

I really don’t think that anyone on this thread was advocating gum chewing or looking for acceptable things to put in their mouths before Mass because they have some kind of lack of self-control.

Frankly, I think your post is unfair, and you may not mean it to sound judgemental, but it does.

God bless.

I’m with you. I’m a little disappointed because very few of those on the other side are actually reading what we write. They jump in to sound off on something they’re frustrated over, ignoring the real issue at hand: trying our best to come to a correct interpretation of Canon Law. I will trust that they are good-intentioned, but I also hope that they will come to realize that angry outburts (especially when paired with earplugs) make honest dialogue impossible.

DiscerningDave, thanks for taking the time be be gentle and charitable to the opposite side with those last few posts you made. Though we disagree on the interpretation of Canon 919, I enjoyed discussing this with you and if you find out any additional information on this subject, I would definitely like to be informed.

 

[Walking_Home]

It is really something—when someone categorizes others as being angry with ear plugs—in order to justify his “wiggle room”.

 

[JezuUfamTobie]

…in order to justify his “wiggle room”.

I suppose I don’t understand how (if you have really been reading what people post, with the intent to understand what we’re saying) you still think that we are actively looking for “wiggle room” for ourselves, when some of us have specifically stated that we do not chew gum in or before mass. This is an example of what I’m talking about when I referred to “earplugs”… It’s not that you disagree with me (which is fine), it’s that you persist in ignoring the parts of the debate that are inconvenient to you, and speaking to me as if I held views or had motivations that I don’t hold. (And which you’d already know I don’t hold if you’d really read all of what I posted.)

There’s nothing in it for me to take a specific stand on this issue. I don’t need wiggle room, because I don’t chew gum in or before mass. I’m sorry you don’t realize that, but I’ve tried the best I know how to engage in the honest communication of ideas with you. It’s becoming clear to me that you don’t want that kind of communication, so I’m going to stop trying to engage you for now. God bless!

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Blyss,

I really don’t think that anyone on this thread was advocating gum chewing or looking for acceptable things to put in their mouths before Mass because they have some kind of lack of self-control.

Frankly, I think your post is unfair, and you may not mean it to sound judgemental, but it does.

God bless.

Sorry you feel that way, but I do not make judgments…I make observations.*** Why is my post unfair? ***Because I think it is rude and somewhat crude to smack gum in your mouth at Mass? Anyone who “cannot” refrain from having something in their mouths for the space of ONE HOUR needs to learn a little self-control…plain and simple.

God Bless you too dear…

:heart:Blyss

 

[DiscerningDave]

I’m with you. I’m a little disappointed because very few of those on the other side are actually reading what we write. They jump in to sound off on something they’re frustrated over, ignoring the real issue at hand: trying our best to come to a correct interpretation of Canon Law. I will trust that they are good-intentioned, but I also hope that they will come to realize that angry outburts (especially when paired with earplugs) make honest dialogue impossible.

DiscerningDave, thanks for taking the time be be gentle and charitable to the opposite side with those last few posts you made. Though we disagree on the interpretation of Canon 919, I enjoyed discussing this with you and if you find out any additional information on this subject, I would definitely like to be informed.

Thank you for the kind words. I am only concerned with facts and the truth. I guess everyone has a different interpretation on what defines food. The FDA requires nutritional information and ingredients on “food.” As my prior post states, the only reason gum was exempt from that is because it would be really hard to put all that info on a tiny pack of gum.

Kinda reminds me of that Texas A&M joke. Why don’t the Aggies drink Kool-Aide?..They can’t fit two quarts of water in those little packages. (Drum hit, cymbal crash)

I have emailed a local apologist to see what he thinks. But, as I stated in an earlier post, find 10 different experts and maybe half will agree.
I will also ask my priest who made the comment and a friend of mine in the seminary who has access to the “real” apologists who educate priests-to-be.

To me the issue is black and white. Food is food. You put it in your mouth because it tastes good. Its food. Regardless what people say, gum has some nutritional value that could sustain life longer than if you didn’t have it and it tastes good.

 

[Walking_Home]

I’m with you. I’m a little disappointed because very few of those on the other side are actually reading what we write. They jump in to sound off on something they’re frustrated over, ignoring the real issue at hand: trying our best to come to a correct interpretation of Canon Law. I will trust that they are good-intentioned, but I also hope that they will come to realize that angry outburts (especially when paired with earplugs) make honest dialogue impossible.

DiscerningDave, thanks for taking the time be be gentle and charitable to the opposite side with those last few posts you made. Though we disagree on the interpretation of Canon 919, I enjoyed discussing this with you and if you find out any additional information on this subject, I would definitely like to be informed.

---

Let us see what a canon lawyer states on this.

ewtn.com/faith/QA/expertslist.htm#FrGantley

Father Mark J. Gantley, JCL

Father Mark J. Gantley, JCL, received his licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C… He served for three years as a judge on the Tribunal in the diocese of Syracuse. He currently works in parish ministry in the diocese of Las Vegas.

ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=444665&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=2005&Author=&Keyword=chew&pgnu=1&groupnum=0&record_bookmark=5&ORDER_BY_TXT=ORDER+BY+ReplyDate+DESC&start_at=

Eucharistic fast
Question from on 07-26-2005:
Does chewing gum in the one hour fast before receiving Communion break the fast or going up to receive with the gum still in the mouth?

Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 08-21-2005:
The fast from any food other than water or medicine includes gum.

 

[paramedicgirl]

---

Let us see what a canon lawyer states on this.

ewtn.com/faith/QA/expertslist.htm#FrGantley

Father Mark J. Gantley, JCL

Father Mark J. Gantley, JCL, received his licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C… He served for three years as a judge on the Tribunal in the diocese of Syracuse. He currently works in parish ministry in the diocese of Las Vegas.

ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=444665&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=2005&Author=&Keyword=chew&pgnu=1&groupnum=0&record_bookmark=5&ORDER_BY_TXT=ORDER+BY+ReplyDate+DESC&start_at=

Eucharistic fast
Question from on 07-26-2005:
Does chewing gum in the one hour fast before receiving Communion break the fast or going up to receive with the gum still in the mouth?

Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 08-21-2005:
The fast from any food other than water or medicine includes gum.

That pretty much settles that, then doesn’t it? Case closed.

And hopefully thread closed too, so we can get on to other things.

 

[DiscerningDave]

---

Let us see what a canon lawyer states on this.

ewtn.com/faith/QA/expertslist.htm#FrGantley

Father Mark J. Gantley, JCL

Father Mark J. Gantley, JCL, received his licentiate in canon law from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C… He served for three years as a judge on the Tribunal in the diocese of Syracuse. He currently works in parish ministry in the diocese of Las Vegas.

ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=444665&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=2005&Author=&Keyword=chew&pgnu=1&groupnum=0&record_bookmark=5&ORDER_BY_TXT=ORDER+BY+ReplyDate+DESC&start_at=

Eucharistic fast
Question from on 07-26-2005:
Does chewing gum in the one hour fast before receiving Communion break the fast or going up to receive with the gum still in the mouth?

Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 08-21-2005:
The fast from any food other than water or medicine includes gum.

Thank you so much for finding that. And yes, we should clos ethe thread, but one final thing needs to happen.

Now, all we need to do is get the “apologist”, Michelle Arnold, to remove her statement that gum is not food as she posted on Ask the Apologist site and reference this article. I tried to email her yesterday, but she did not reply. Could someone else PM her, point out this article, and ask her to correct her answer?
Thank you.