Jesus the Ascetic?

Michael Barber shared a nice piece on Benedict/Ratzinger's upcoming Volume II of Jesus of Nazareth which includes this interesting snippet:

It’s a historical, theological, and ascetic reflection on the childhood, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Ascetic? That shocked me at first, considering the historical connotations of the term, but I guess asceticism is relative after all. I may have to check this out in the spring. If he says Jesus fasted during childhood, y'all be sure and testify that I scooped* the Pope! ;-)

*Note: I haven't actually dated the Lord's fasting, and don't expect to. So yes, I am kidding. :-)