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.
Canticles
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To comfort your life within his dying
Dying so that all might live
Bearing mankind's wounds
So that man might be healed
Let all who seek the true path to peace
Simply come to follow in the footsteps of this man
And so he came to live in the blessings of love
And so he came to live forever
The lyrics of the song Canticles by John Michael Talbot speak of the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ in order to comfort and heal mankind. It speaks of how Jesus bore the wounds of humanity in his own body and died so that all might have life. The song then calls on all those who seek true peace to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who lived a life of love even in the face of hatred and was rewarded for it with eternal life.
The core message of the song is that through faith and following Christ, one can attain inner peace and healing. It highlights the idea that true peace can only be found through surrender and living a life of love, even at the cost of personal suffering. The song touches on themes of redemption, forgiveness, and sacrifice that are common in Christian theology.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus has suffered for you
Jesus underwent agony and afflictions for the sake of mankind
To comfort your life within his dying
He sacrificed himself to grant inner solace to humanity in his passing
Dying so that all might live
His demise paved the way for eternal salvation for everyone
Bearing mankind's wounds
He bore the anguish of humanity's woes
So that man might be healed
All people could be mended through his sacrifice
Let all who seek the true path to peace
Everyone who seeks a life of serenity
Simply come to follow in the footsteps of this man
Should walk in the path of Jesus Christ as an example
Who laid down his life when threatened with hatred
The man who willingly gave up his life instead of responding with animosity
And so he came to live in the blessings of love
Jesus obtained the affection and favor of the divine by living with benevolence and kindness
And so he came to live forever
His goodness and longevity became eternal, guiding and inspiring people for all time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP
Written by: JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind