What is the big deal about chewing gum?

[JimG]

As far as I know, chewing gum does not break the fast. It does strike me as a little casual for church, but I can’t get too excited about it, given the overarching casualness of our general culture.

Having grown up during a time when we were required to fast from midnight from both food and water before receiving communion, it does seem like moderns are a little fragile.

 

[jmcrae]

The rule is ridiculously easy. One hour before you consume the Eucharist. Not even one hour before Mass begins. This makes about 45 minutes of “fasting” for a Sunday Mass. I think people blow it off because it seems so trivial.

I think so, too.

Poor Jesus! Gum, cough drops, cheerios - what else is “not really food” that He should have to put up with when He comes into our bodies at Holy Communion?

 

[jmcrae]

As far as I know, chewing gum does not break the fast.

It’s classified as “snack food.” It’s no more artificial than any other kind of candy. If sucking on hard candy breaks the fast, then so does gum-chewing.

Having grown up during a time when we were required to fast from midnight from both food and water before receiving communion, it does seem like moderns are a little fragile.

Yep - how on earth did our ancestors manage it?

 

[Quatsch]

Oops. I didn’t know this broke the fast. I’ve always been terribly self-conscious about bad breath, so I often brush my teeth and chew gum in the car on the way to Mass. I won’t anymore.
Does anyone know, would liquid mouthwash like Listerine be a no-no too?

My understanding is that chewing gum does not break the fast. Jimmy Akin has talked about this numerous times on Catholic Answers Live.

 

[Quatsch]

My understanding is that chewing gum does not break the fast. Jimmy Akin has talked about this numerous times on Catholic Answers Live.

Here is one place Jimmy talks about it

From the link:

Incidentally, for those who may be wondering, gum does not violate the Eucharistic fast, because GUM IS NOT FOOD.

 

[jmcrae]

My understanding is that chewing gum does not break the fast. Jimmy Akin has talked about this numerous times on Catholic Answers Live.

I disagree with his reasoning. (He says it’s because the gum is made of some kind of resin, which isn’t nutritious, and therefore isn’t food - with that reasoning, any kind of artificial food is “okay” - but I don’t think it is, really.)

 

[jmcrae]

From the link:

Incidentally, for those who may be wondering, gum does not violate the Eucharistic fast, because GUM IS NOT FOOD.

More to the point, gum is not medicine, or water, is not necessary for good hygiene, and is unlikely to just fall into your mouth by accident.

 

[mercygate]

I disagree with his reasoning. (He says it’s because the gum is made of some kind of resin, which isn’t nutritious, and therefore isn’t food - with that reasoning, any kind of artificial food is “okay” - but I don’t think it is, really.)

I agree. Does fake sugar not qualify as “food” – the package refers to the “serving size” – so THEY think it’s food.

BTW, just to rile the crew, I believe smoking tobacco breaks the fast also.

 

[lizaanne]

Yep - how on earth did our ancestors manage it?

I totally agree - all this whining about having to have water, and coffee, and cough drops, and gum, and all sorts of ridiculous things before Mass so you can make it through ONE HOUR!!!

My goodness - can’t folks just put on their big kid panties and just deal with it for one hour? And of course I don’t mean those who legitimately need medication.

~Liza

 

[mercygate]

More to the point, gum is not medicine, or water, is not necessary for good hygiene, and is unlikely to just fall into your mouth by accident.

Then, there is also the cultural weight. Well-brought-up people do NOT chew gum in public. (I’m wearing my flak vest, so I’m ready for the responses). Really well-brought-up (healthy) people don’t chew gum in private either.

 

[jmcrae]

I agree. Does fake sugar not qualify as “food” – the package refers to the “serving size” – so THEY think it’s food.

BTW, just to rile the crew, I believe smoking tobacco breaks the fast also.

Yep, I agree.

There should be nothing in our mouths during the at least 60-minute hour before Holy Communion, except (in case of necessity) water and/or medication.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Then, there is also the cultural weight. Well-brought-up people do NOT chew gum in public. (I’m wearing my flak vest, so I’m ready for the responses). Really well-brought-up (healthy) people don’t chew gum in private either.

i think it does take it a bit far to suggest that people who chew gum in public or otherwise are less then a well brought up person. Or are you joking?

 

[mercygate]

i think it does take it a bit far to suggest that people who chew gum in public or otherwise are less then a well brought up person. Or are you joking?

I could not be more sincere. It’s right up there with picking your teeth (although I believe some cultures consider the post-prandial toothpick de rigueur).

 

[lizaanne]

Then, there is also the cultural weight. Well-brought-up people do NOT chew gum in public. (I’m wearing my flak vest, so I’m ready for the responses). Really well-brought-up (healthy) people don’t chew gum in private either.

I’m with you here - gum chewing in public is really not a good look.

I wonder if people have ever looked at themselves in the mirror before (or even worse, on camera!! )to see what they look like chewing gum. I doubt very seriously that they would do it again if they knew how horrible it looks.

~Liza

 

[jmcrae]

i think it does take it a bit far to suggest that people who chew gum in public or otherwise are less then a well brought up person. Or are you joking?

My father calls it “mawnjing” (a word of his own invention) - he always said, “Nobody wants to see you mawnjing - it’s rude and disgusting.”

Have you ever driven past a field of cattle who are chewing their cuds? This is the image that springs to mind when I see people chewing gum.

 

[ElizabethPH]

I chew gum since I quit smoking. This is the first time I’ve heard that folks were so repulse by it and thought it such an ugly thing.

 

[Apryl]

There is nothing at all wrong with “chewing” gum in the manner that I do at Liturgy. Absolutely nothing

Have you asked your priest, or checked with the GIRM? or is this just a personal assessment of the situation?

I’m only asking because you are vehement that there is nothing wrong, and I can’t see how there is nothing wrong. Perhaps you would be kind enough to educate me on this.

 

[Apryl]

Oops. I didn’t know this broke the fast. I’ve always been terribly self-conscious about bad breath, so I often brush my teeth and chew gum in the car on the way to Mass. I won’t anymore.
Does anyone know, would liquid mouthwash like Listerine be a no-no too?

If you Listerine before mass, you will still be keeping the fast (even if it did constitute breaking a fast) so long as you do so an hour before the reception of communion.

I don’t believe that Listerine is considered breaking the fast, since it’s not consumed.

Personally (this means just me) don’t like the idea of having ANYTHING in my mouth before going to my Lord and Savior.

As for others, I think it’s disrespectful to be eating and such before going to communion. We are not going for crackers and juice, people!

 

[Apryl]

As far as I know, chewing gum does not break the fast. It does strike me as a little casual for church, but I can’t get too excited about it, given the overarching casualness of our general culture.
.

That’s just it: our culture has become overarchingly casual!

We (the people in the church, who care about her) need to protect the church and the way we treat her in a sacred manner.

 

[mercygate]

That’s just it: our culture has become overarchingly casual!

We (the people in the church, who care about her) need to protect the church and the way we treat her in a sacred manner.

The difficulty is a culture barrier. Those who “mean no disrespect” simply CANNOT understand that the objectionable practice IS disrespectful or objectionable. They do not and CANNOT understand it. Moreover they tend to think that anybody who DOES find it disrespectful and objectionable is simply a stuffy, old-fashioned, priggish, hoity-toity, holier-than-thou jackass. AND “judgmental.” (I plead guilty.)