Little is known, if any, of the hidden life of Jesus. But what is known amazes the reader. The Gospel of Luke has an interesting description about Jesus' daily living in Nazareth: "And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them" (Lk 2, 51).

During this time of preparation for his public ministry Jesus spent it in obedience, both in a vertical and horizontal sense. From his early age he was always one with his Father as he told Mary and Joseph when they found him in the temple: "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Lk 2, 49). His obedience and dedication was also manifested to Mary and Joseph as the aforementioned citation said: "And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them" (Lk 2, 51).

Obedience is the key virtue for a fruitful life preparation. The word obedience implies listening. With listening comes reflecting, discerning, deciding and acting. Obedience connotes patience, wrapped up of course with suffering. And suffering, when taken as purification, brings about respect, gratitude and commitment.

May all of us who undergo the Nazareth experience cherish the grace of reflection. Peter F Drucker encourages us to "Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action." Let us then look for more Nazareth experiences in our lives!