“After Communion we possess all of heaven within our soul except the vision,” taught St. Elizabeth of the Trinity. This truth, coupled with the Divine Indwelling — the fact that the Trinity lives within our souls when we are in sanctifying grace — enabled the Carmelite nun to profess: “I have found heaven on earth, since heaven is God, and God is in my soul.”

Like St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, we, too, can exclaim we have heaven in our souls. This is especially true after receiving Christ in Communion. Through this sacrament, Christ unites us to himself in an exclusive way: he is in us and we are in him. So great is this union that in these sacred moments, our thoughts and affections are also his. St. Cyril of Jerusalem provides the image of melting wax to help us understand this: two candles melted together form one candle. Similarly, when we receive Communion, Christ fuses himself with the communicant in such a manner that they share the same body and blood.

The Catechism teaches that Christ – body, blood, soul and divinity – remains present in the Eucharist as “long as the Eucharistic species subsist.” (1377) Through this sacrament of charity, Christ gifts us himself – he increases the presence of the Trinity within us, forgives our venial sins and deepens our love for God and neighbor. It is fitting, therefore, that we not only approach the Eucharist with reverence and gratitude, but also that we intentionally spend time after Mass in thanksgiving, adoring the God who is present within us.

With this in mind, here are some ways to spend time in thanksgiving after Communion:

• Reflect that you have just received the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who desires you exclusively and who wishes to be king of your heart. Place yourself before Christ in your soul and speak to him as a close friend. Adore him and share with him your heart, love and thoughts. If words do not come, your loving attention to Christ’s presence is enough.
• Imitate Christ’s thanksgiving. Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar once rejoiced that, “Jesus gives thanks by endlessly offering himself and making a gift of himself to God and to men.” This we commemorate at Mass. Following Christ’s example, thank God for giving himself to you and give yourself to him. Present yourself, your day and all that it entails to God as a gift and ask him for the grace to be docile to his inspirations.
• As Christ conforms us more closely to him each time we receive Communion, thank Jesus for uniting himself to you. Ask him to give you the graces you need to grow your awareness of his presence in your life and to stay with you always.
• Meditate on heaven within your soul by inviting Mary, the angels and the saints to prepare your soul for Christ and adore him with them.

Next time you receive Communion, be present to the Eucharistic Jesus within you. Perhaps meditate on a Eucharistic prayer such as the Anima Christi or Padre Pio’s Stay with Me. Slowly pray each line, pausing when the Holy Spirit draws you to meditate upon a certain point.