I have to admit that, once upon a time, I didn't like the wise virgins or bridesmaids very much. I thought that they were a bit mean. I thought that they were goodie-goodies. I felt that they should have shared some of their oil with the others. After all we are supposed to be willing to share with others in need.

More recently, however, I am beginning to revise my opinion of those young ladies. Undoubtedly we should be willing to share with others. Jesus, the teller of the parable, spoke forcefully about the duty to share. A parable, however, is a parable. One can only do so much with it. It has one main point which cannot be obscured or down graded by any other message however important.

The very reason for the existence of bridesmaids is that they witness to the joy of the occasion. If, through carelessness or neglect or lack of appreciation of the honour done them, they fail that one bridesmaid's duty, then they do not deserve a place in the banquet hall.

There are fundamentals in our lives that cannot be ignored. One fundamental is that God honours us by calling us his own sons and daughters just as the bride and groom honour their friends by calling them to be bridesmaids. With that honour goes a responsibility. If we knowingly ignore that honour and that responsibility we lock the banquet door in our own faces.