Falling sick is an infinite benefaction for man and the Church prays that no one leaves this world due to sudden death.
What does it mean not leaving this world due to sudden death? It means that man may fall a little sick, may be in a little pain, so that he can gradually let go of the various supports he has. It means he is given time to tear himself away from this world and pre- pare to leave for the other. Once man starts to have such experiences, he believes in God more strongly, hopes in God more earnestly and loves God more intensely. He humbles himself more, repents more, becomes more of a Christian, and prepares himself better for the other life.
Man makes mistakes, faults, sins. God, however, uses them for the best. He collects all of them and makes good use of them for our salvation.
Archimandrite Symeon Kragiopoulos (†)
From the book: Archimandrite Symeon Kragiopoulos, “SPIRITUAL MESSAGES” Panorama Thessaloniki, 2017
