Person on the Housetop not to go down - Why?

Gospel Thoughts*

*32nd Week : Friday*

*GOSPEL Lk 17:26-37*

*First Reading - 2 Jn 4-9*

*Person on the Housetop not to go down - Why?*

*1) The Structure of the Houses at the time of Jesus*

It is well known that the houses of the Jews, as well as those of the ancient Greeks and Romans, were flat on the top, for them to walk upon, and had usually stairs on the outside, by which they might ascend and descend without coming into the house.

These  houses were built in a continuous line, and with flat roofs, so that a man might pass from house to house without descending into the street until he came to some point near the wall or gate of the city, and so make his escape. 

Such a facility would be of great help at a moment of danger to escape to a safe place

The meaning  of this could be the person who is walking on the house-top not to come down to take any thing out of his house; but let him instantly pursue his course along the tops of houses, and escape out of the city gate as fast as he possibly can.

*2) House tops with a message*

The facility of roof top in every house gives us a powerful message. 

First of all there were many unexpected casualties. So the people were already well prepared to escape to a safe place when the tradgedy takes place 

House tops also an indication which shows the level of preparedness. 

*3) Why they should not come down*

Coming down would be fatal to them when the tragedy takes place 

Secondly it shows the greed of the person for the things even at the time of danger to his/her life. 

Life is more important than the things. So not to go after the things. 

*4) This historical reality gives a powerful message*

Being in the roof is a safe place. Going upwards even in our life  especially in spiritual life is beneficial to us 

Material things are found down. The person who is up should not come down to collect material things. Even in our life never to come down from our spiritual life to gather the material things 

Coming down is fatal. Even in our life, coming down from spiritual level to the material level is fatal. Eg. People of Sodom 

It is easy to move to a safer place from top or from house roof. But once if u come down you can't move to a safe place easily. Those who are at the level of spiritual life, easy to move to a safe place. Coming down from spiritual life would make our safety at risk 

*5) The arrangements of the House specially to face the danger*

When there is a moment of danger not to come down, but to escape from house top itself. 

When faced with problems and crisis, never to come down from the spiritual level to the material level. Face it from the spiritual level itself 

*6) Each house had a house top*

So also each ones life has a spiritual aspect, which guides our journey in a right direction. 

Each ones house top or the spiritual aspect shows the right path, in which we need to go forward. 

Never to ignore this direction and make ones life miserable. 

*7) Where am I?*

Am I already reached to the housetop? 

Am I thinking of coming down? 

Am I able to move in the house tops? 

Have I recognized the house top of  my life? 

Do I have a right motivation to move to the house top? 

Have I lost the ladder or staircase which connects the house top? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*