“Besides vocal prayer, mental prayer, commonly called meditation, cannot but prove helpful in the practice of chastity. For the Holy Ghost tells us in Holy Write: ‘In all thy works remember the last end and thou shalt never sin’ (Ecclus. 7:40). It would be impossible to mediate on death, judgment, hell, eternity, and still wish to commit sin. And the thought that the pleasure derived from sin is momentary and that punishment will last for ever, should have a restraining influence. Then the Christian soul that meditates on the passion and death of the Redeemer must derive great help to remain pure and chaste. It would seem impossible that those who love Jesus and reflect on His sufferings, sufferings which were caused by our sins, should ever date to crucify ‘again to themselves the Son of God and make Him a mockery.’ (Heb. 6:6).” ~ Taken from: “Discourses on St. Joseph” by Fr. Nicholas O’Rafferty (1951).
For this precise reason, I always keep a crucifix on my desk - right next to the computer. I never remove it, place it in a drawer, or put papers on top of it; it’s always in open sight. And, I do this for a reason, because, oftentimes, when I am working on the computer, especially while researching something on the internet, I may come across something that immediately elicits an erotic response. At this point, two things can happen: the impulse is dealt with and the temptations abated, or the sexual thought and physical reaction is heightened by a continuation of viewing and or dwelling upon impure images or thoughts. By keeping our eyes on the Cross, as if we were actually there – seeing the pain on Christ’s face as the blood drops out of His body, our thoughts will be immersed in a very different set of emotional triggers; then, the pleasurable sensations will cease and we will be joined with the suffering Lord. The cross on the desk, it is a reminder to do just that.