Preparation

"Who then is this party of ten virgins? And where is the bride? There seems to be a puzzling omission here in this parable. The bride herself is not featured. The parable focusses on a bridal party, here termed virgins or bridesmaids. Bridesmaids typically are closely associated with the bride. But isn't a bridesmaid one who is preparing for her own future role as a bride? Is she not readying herself for her own wedding? This is a picture of the divine romance is it not? If that is so, then might the issue of bridal preparation be the main theme in this parable of the 10 virgins? "