"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' " 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:6-13)

Those who were ready - hetoimos - went in to the wedding banquet.

What might have happened if the foolish ones had remained with the greeting party?

Which is worse? Running out of oil or the distraction of going to purchase new oil?

If they had remained with the wedding party their oil might have run out on the way to the banquet.

It would have been embarrassing. But would they have been allowed into the banquet?

To be fully prepared is clearly better. But even if not fully prepared we can be attentive to context and purpose.

In this case the purpose was to greet and accompany the bridegroom.

Knowing our purpose and remaining committed to that purpose is part of being ready.

Above are five sad maidens from St. Finbarrs Cathedral, Cork.