A Sobering Parable

Jesus' parable traditionally called "the wise and foolish virgins (or bridesmaids)" is a sobering story.  It brings to mind a Latin word, secula, which means both an age or epoch but also the cultural norms and default expectations of that age.  It's the root of our word "secular."  What are our expectations of life?  How are we being formed to wait and watch and be ready for the bridegroom?  How are we forming our children to wait and watch and be ready?