Rooftops were places of great activity in Bible times. The high, open, flat surfaces were perfect for winnowing chaff from grain, drying fruit, storing grain, nuts, and fruit, and sun-bleaching laundry.
Rooftops were also household gathering places because so much work was done there, and they were sleeping places on the hot nights of summer.
But rooftops, because of their height, their openness, and frequent assemblies of people, rooftops were great places from which to shout the news.
Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous,
teach me to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and not to seek reward,
except that of knowing that I do your will.
St. Ignatius of Loyola