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.
One Bread
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All who eat this Bread will never die
I am God's love revealed
I am broken that you might be healed
All who eat of this heavenly Bread
All who drink this cup of the covenant
You will live forever for I will raise you up
I am the Bread of Life
All who eat this Bread will never die
I am God's love revealed
I am broken that you might be healed
No one who comes to Me shall ever hunger again
No one who believes shall ever thirst
All that the Father draws shall come to Me
And I will give them rest
I am the Bread of Life
All who eat this Bread will never die
I am God's love revealed
I am broken that you might be healed
John Michael Talbot’s song “I Am the Bread of Life” is a powerful representation of the Christian belief in the importance of the eucharist. The song’s lyrics are a reference to the Bible and convey the message that when people consume the bread of life, they will live forever. According to the lyrics, anyone who eats this bread will never die as Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life through whom people can obtain immortality. The repetition of the line “All who eat this Bread will never die” serves to emphasize the lyric’s central message.
The lyrics also make reference to the cup of the covenant that people should drink in order to live forever. The cup of the covenant represents Jesus’ blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of human sins. Therefore, partaking of the cup of the covenant is an essential part of the Christian faith as it symbolizes the acceptance of God's forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ. The song mentions that “you will live forever,” which is a reminder that the reward for living a life of faith is eternal life in heaven.
The song’s overall message is that Christ’s love for humanity is represented by the bread and blood of Christ offered during communion. It stresses that the bread of life is necessary for those who seek spiritual fulfillment and healing. It is the display of love, humility, and sacrifice that shows Christ’s commitment to his flock. Overall “I Am the Bread of Life” is an important song that brings Christians closer to God and strengthens their faith and reaffirms their communion with Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the Bread of Life
I am the nourishment that sustains life, the spiritual sustenance that fills the gap where physical sustenance isn't enough.
All who eat this Bread will never die
Partaking of me guarantees eternal life, as my sustenance is enduring, and the essence that fuels it, divine.
I am God's love revealed
I am the tangible manifestation of divine love, revealed to mortals, so they feel His love and presence around them.
I am broken that you might be healed
I sacrificed myself to heal you of sins and to fix the rift between God and humankind, letting you live a sinless, blameless life.
All who eat of this heavenly Bread
Those who partake of my divinity and teachings will grow closer to the divine nature and blossom as a spiritually sound being.
All who drink this cup of the covenant
By drinking the cup that represents communion, fraternity, and brotherhood with the divine, one forms a covenant with his creator.
You will live forever for I will raise you up
With my divine sustenance, my children will live eternally, and their spirits will continue to exist after their physical bodies die.
No one who comes to Me shall ever hunger again
Whosoever approaches me in true faith shall never experience spiritual deprivation or hunger again; my bread will sustain them.
No one who believes shall ever thirst
By following my teachings and believing in me as the divine, one shall never feel emotionally parched or void of love and goodwill.
All that the Father draws shall come to Me
Everyone that allows themselves to be pulled towards divinity with the blessings of the almighty will be able to find me and the actual meaning of life.
And I will give them rest
With my divine powers and teachings, heavenly tranquility and calmness will be bestowed upon my children's souls, allowing them to feel security.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind