Jesus' parables are open-ended and can be applied in the many circumstances of our lives. There can be debates or discussions about some of the details of the parables, details which Jesus has left hanging in the air, as it were. Therefore, whenever Jesus expresses clearly the moral of his story, as he does in today's Gospel, it is important to pay attention as that will help us to avoid irrelevant questions.

It is sometimes suggested, for example that the five wise bridesmaids could have been a little kinder and given some of their oil to the foolish ones: their reason "not enough for you and for us" sounds a little self-centred. But this is not a story to teach us about sharing: it is a story about prudence and proper preparation for what we are invited to do.

However, even though, as Jesus first told it, it was not a story about sharing, nevertheless, facing crises, such as the European refugee crisis, we might well take time to reflect whether antipathy towards refugees or others in need arises from the fear "there will not be enough for them and for us."