When you have an opportunity to take a once in a lifetime chance, do you take it? Granted, there is no strict definition for such an instance, but in the strictest

sense of the term, do you take chances or do you play it safe? One could argue that our lives are a series of opportunities, and some of the choices we

make are the only chances we'll ever have. We may decide to go to work rather than college, and years later we're unable to find the time or the will to go

back and get that degree. Or, sometimes a once in a lifetime chance is as simple as asking for something.

Bartimaeus figured that he had nothing to lose; blind since birth, he had heard that Jesus was preaching to a crowd nearby. Knowing in his heart that Jesus

was truly the Son of God, Bartimaeus went to Jesus, and interrupting his sermon asked Jesus to cure his blindness. Jesus' compassion for a man who had

such faith without seeing led him to grant his wish. If we can have faith in Jesus without ever having seen or heard him, will we realize a "once in a lifetime chance"?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, teaching on faith, states: "[A] disciple of Christ must not only keep the faith and live on it, but also profess it, confidently bear witness to it, and spread it" (CCC 1816). Bartimaeus not only possessed great faith in Jesus, he

was unashamed and unafraid to call out to his Savior in front of the many people around him. In the Gospel

of Matthew, Jesus said, "Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly

Father." Today, if you meet someone who needs the loving arms of Jesus Christ, take that chance to share his promise of everlasting life.

“Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him,

“Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

- Mk 10:51-52