Veronica - Jacelyn Eckman

These are the so-called lost years in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, the years strangely absent from the Christian narrative before he took up his public ministry at the age of thirty. The story is told from the viewpoint of his younger cousin, Veronica. Their mothers are sisters, and from the outset Mary and Salome's deep bond is reflected in the lives of the young cousins. Two stories are entwined as one; that of the man Jesus as he studies and travels through distant lands, slowly coming to terms with his extraordinary mission. And it is the story of the women who profoundly impacted his life. He often told them he would only accomplish his work if they stepped up to fulfill their destinies alongside him. Veronica narrates her own experiences in Palestine, Brittany, and Egypt, enriched with visionary glimpses of her cousin on his travels. A second voice follows Jesus during those long years when he is far from his family and all that he knows, studying with the Masters of his day, in turn sharing his wisdom and compassion with the many who are drawn to him. When at last he returns to Nazareth, the two voices join, bringing the story to a close at the baptism in the River Jordan. The story finds its heart in the great cultural crossroads of Jerusalem, where the various Jewish sects collide under increasing pressure from Rome. The teachings of the Master Jesus are as relevant today as they were 2,000 years ago.