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.
In Remembrance of Me
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is My body
In remembrance of Me
This is My blood
Whoever eats of this bread
And drinks this cup of salvation
Shall not die but shall live
Shall live forever
For His flesh is His food
And His blood we'll drink
Those who receive shall never die but shall live forever
Strengthened by Heavenly bread
Strengthened by bread of angels
Your cup of salvation bring
Come all and receive
In remembrance of Me
This is My body
In remembrance of Me
This is My blood
Whoever eats of this bread
And drinks this cup of salvation
Shall not die but shall live
Shall live forever
Come humbly bow and adore
Before the mystery of mysteries
Under creation's form
Yet the creator of all
Within flesh yet not enclosed
Incarnate and transcendent
Consumed but by all yet not destroyed
Received by all and the Lord
In remembrance of Me
This is My body
In remembrance of Me
This is My blood
Whoever eats of this bread
And drinks this cup of salvation
Shall not die but shall live
Shall live forever
In remembrance of Me
This is My body
In remembrance of Me
This is My blood
Whoever eats of this bread
And drinks this cup of salvation
Shall not die but shall live
Shall live forever
Shall not die but shall live
Shall live forever
The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's song "In Remembrance of Me" are an invitation to remember and participate in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The first two verses refer to the words of Jesus at the Last Supper when he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body" (Matthew 26:26) and "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:27-28). The refrain repeats this phrase as a reminder that we are called to eat the bread that is Christ's body and drink the wine that is Christ's blood in order to partake of the eternal life that he promised: "Shall not die but shall live/Shall live forever."
Line by Line Meaning
In remembrance of Me
Remember Me
This is My body
This is a representation of My body
In remembrance of Me
Remember Me
This is My blood
This is a representation of My blood
Whoever eats of this bread
Whoever consumes this bread
And drinks this cup of salvation
And drinks this cup of redemption
Shall not die but shall live
Will not experience spiritual death but eternal life
Shall live forever
Will have eternal life
For His flesh is His food
His flesh is what nourishes Him
And His blood we'll drink
And we will consume His blood
Those who receive shall never die but shall live forever
Those who partake will have eternal life
Strengthened by Heavenly bread
Nourished and fortified by heavenly bread
Strengthened by bread of angels
Nourished and fortified by the bread of angels
Your cup of salvation bring
Bring your cup of redemption
Come all and receive
Everyone is welcome to partake
Come humbly bow and adore
Come humbly, bow down, and adore
Before the mystery of mysteries
Before the greatest mystery
Under creation's form
Appearing as a part of creation
Yet the creator of all
Yet the creator of all things
Within flesh yet not enclosed
Within a body yet not limited by it.
Incarnate and transcendent
Both in human form and divine
Consumed but by all yet not destroyed
Eaten by all but not destroyed by it
Received by all and the Lord
Received by all and the Lord Himself
In remembrance of Me
Remember Me
This is My body
This is a representation of My body
In remembrance of Me
Remember Me
This is My blood
This is a representation of My blood
Whoever eats of this bread
Whoever consumes this bread
And drinks this cup of salvation
And drinks this cup of redemption
Shall not die but shall live
Will not experience spiritual death but eternal life
Shall live forever
Will have eternal life
Writer(s): Talbot John Michael
Contributed by Scarlett J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.