Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
Canticle Philippians
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jesus did not deem equality with God
Something to be grasped
Rather He emptied himself
And took the form of a slave
Being born in the likeness of men
He was known to be a human and saint
And it was just that He humbled himself
Death on a cross
Because of this
God highly exalted Him
And bestowed upon him the name
Above every other name
So that at Jesus name
Every knee must bend
In the heavens and the earth
And under the earth
And every tongue plea
To the glory of God the Father
Jesus Christ is Lord
Glory of the Father
And to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning
Is now
And will be forever
Amen
The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's "Canticle Philippians" are taken directly from the New Testament passage of Philippians 2:6-11, which speaks to the humility and ultimate exaltation of Jesus Christ. The song begins by highlighting the divinity of Jesus, who was "in the form of God." However, despite this high status, he did not seek to grasp onto his equality with God, but rather emptied himself and took on the form of a slave in order to become human.
The song reflects on the significance of Jesus willingly humbling himself, even to the point of accepting death on a cross, and acknowledges that God exalted him as a result. The name of Jesus is then presented as one that is above every other name, and at the mention of this name, every knee must bend, regardless of where one is in the universe. The song concludes with a doxology, giving glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Overall, Talbot's "Canticle Philippians" offers a powerful reflection on the humility and ultimate exaltation of Jesus Christ, drawing directly from scripture to present this theological point with clarity and precision.
Line by Line Meaning
Though He was in the form of God
Although Jesus was divine
Jesus did not deem equality with God
Jesus did not consider himself equal with God
Something to be grasped
Jesus did not cling to his divine status
Rather He emptied himself
He chose to become fully human
And took the form of a slave
He became a servant to humanity
Being born in the likeness of men
He was fully human
He was known to be a human and saint
He lived a perfect, holy life
And it was just that He humbled himself
It was right for Jesus to humble himself
Obedient be accepting even death
He was obedient to the point of death
Death on a cross
He died a painful and humiliating death on a cross
Because of this
Because of his obedience and humility
God highly exalted Him
God raised him to the highest place of honor
And bestowed upon him the name
And gave him a name
Above every other name
A name that is above all other names
So that at Jesus name
So that when his name is spoken
Every knee must bend
Everyone will bow down
In the heavens and the earth
In heaven and on earth
And under the earth
And even in the underworld
And every tongue plea
And everyone will confess
To the glory of God the Father
That Jesus Christ is Lord, to God the Father's glory
Jesus Christ is Lord
Jesus is the Lord and ruler over all
Glory of the Father
As the Father is glorified
And to the Son
And as the Son is glorified
And to the Holy Spirit
And as the Holy Spirit is glorified
As it was in the beginning
As it was at the beginning of time
Is now
Is still true
And will be forever
Will always be true
Amen
So be it
Writer(s): John Michael Talbot
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.