Dr. Tan Tek Seng

Daily Reflection

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Mark 10:45

In a world filled with competition, fame, and self-promotion, we often believe that noise equates to greatness. But in God's eyes, true greatness is often quiet—clothed in humility, born of love, and willing to be misunderstood by others.

In 625 AD, an old man named Vitalis entered the sinful city of Alexandria. People saw him going to brothels every night and whispered among themselves, "This so-called saint is indeed a fake." His reputation plummeted.

Yet in those nights behind closed doors, he did not commit crimes—he was saving lives. He did not come to indulge, but to redeem. With his hard-earned wages, he redeemed a night of peace for women abandoned by the world; giving them the opportunity to rest, to have decent work, and to start anew with dignity. Even when ridiculed and misunderstood, he never defended himself—he chose to bear the humiliation, solely to free others.

One night, a misled man beat him to death. The townspeople applauded, thinking they had gotten rid of the hypocrite. But one by one, the women who had been rescued came forward and revealed the truth—the "sinner" was actually the true redeemer.

Vitalis is called a saint not because he sought glory, but because he chose silence over defense, mercy over honor, and love over pride.

His life reminds us that sometimes, the most sacred act is to be misunderstood, just to protect the vulnerable.

Mark 10:45 reveals Jesus' mission—He came to redeem people and set them free from the bondage of sin and death. He willingly gave his life for the world, taking our deserved punishment in our place, and reconciling people with God.

May we learn from Christ's example—to lay down pride, comfort, and fame, and gently support those who need to be loved with sincere service, generous giving, and sacrificial love.

Treat the vulnerable with compassion.