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.
Earthen Vessels
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not made of gold
In earthen vessels, wealth untold...
One treasure only,
The LORD, the Christ!
In earthen vessels.
We hold a treasure
Not made of gold
One treasure only,
The LORD, the Christ!
In earthen vessels.
Light has shown in our darkness
God has shown in our hearts
with the light of the glory...
of Jesus the Lord!
We hold a treasure
Not made of gold
In earthen vessels, wealth untold...
One treasure only,
The LORD, the Christ!
In earthen vessels.
God has chosen the lowly,
who are small in this world
In his weakness, his glory
in Jesus the Lord.
We hold a treasure
Not made of gold
In earthen vessels, wealth untold...
One treasure only,
The LORD, the Christ!
In earthen vessels.
One treasure only,
the LORD, the CHRIST,
in earthen vessels.
In earthen vessels.
The song Earthen Vessels by John Michael Talbot is a beautiful tribute to the belief that God's divine presence exists within every human being, regardless of their social or economic status. The lyrics are a reflection on the idea that we hold a precious treasure within us, something that cannot be measured or compared to material wealth. The opening two lines "we hold a treasure, not made of gold" convey that the treasure is not something that can be bought or earned through human efforts. The use of the phrase "earthen vessel" emphasizes that our physical bodies, though seemingly ordinary, are the vessels in which this treasure resides.
The next few lines, "Light has shown in our darkness/God has shown in our hearts/with the light of the glory...of Jesus the Lord!" highlight the idea that God's light exists within our hearts, even in times of darkness. This light is a result of the divine presence of Jesus Christ, who illuminates our lives and makes our "earthen vessels" shine with the glory of God. The following lines "God has chosen the lowly,/who are small in this world/In his weakness, his glory/in Jesus the Lord" convey the idea that God chooses to work in and through those who are considered insignificant in the world's eyes. It is through this weakness and humility that God's glory is ultimately revealed.
The final repetition of the chorus "one treasure only, the LORD, the Christ, in earthen vessels" reinforces the central message of the song. Although we may seem ordinary on the outside, we carry within us a divine treasure that is worth more than all the riches of the world. In essence, the song serves as a reminder of our inherent worth and value as human beings, and the need to recognize the presence of God within ourselves and others.
Line by Line Meaning
We hold a treasure
We possess something of great value
Not made of gold
This treasure is not a material possession
In earthen vessels, wealth untold...
This precious treasure is contained within our imperfect, human bodies
One treasure only, The LORD, the Christ!
The only treasure we have is the Lord and the Savior, Jesus Christ
Light has shown in our darkness
The light of hope and faith illuminates our lives, even in times of darkness
God has shown in our hearts
God's presence and love have touched and transformed our hearts
with the light of the glory...
Through his glory and grace
of Jesus the Lord!
That is shown to us through Jesus Christ
God has chosen the lowly,
God favors the humble and meek
who are small in this world
Those who are not important in the eyes of society
In his weakness, his glory
Through his vulnerability and humility, there is true greatness
in Jesus the Lord.
This greatness is exemplified in Jesus Christ
One treasure only,
There is no other treasure
the LORD, the CHRIST,
Only the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
in earthen vessels.
Contained within our imperfect, human bodies
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.