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.
Table of Plenty
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come to the table of plenty!
God will provide for all that we need,
here at the table of plenty.
O come and sit at my table
where saints and sinners are friends.
I wait to welcome the lost and lonely
O come and eat without money;
come to drink without price.
My feast of gladness will feed your spirit
with faith and fullness of life.
My bread will ever sustain you
through days of sorrow and woe.
My wine will flow like a sea of gladness
to flood the depths of your soul.
Your fields will flower in fullness;
your homes will flourish in peace.
For I, the giver of home and harvest,
will send my rain on the soil.
The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's "Table of Plenty" are an invitation to a feast that is both earthly and heavenly, where everyone is welcome regardless of their station in life. The song invokes the image of a bountiful table that will provide for all of our needs, while also symbolically representing God's provision for us in every area of life. The lyrics speak of the generosity of God, who welcomes everyone to the table, whether they are saints or sinners, lost or lonely. The cup of God's love overflows to quench our thirst, and his bread sustains us through both joy and sorrow.
The song invites the listener to partake of this feast without any cost, as God's abundance is freely given. The feast is a celebration of the fullness of life that God provides, as we are nourished spiritually and physically by the bread and wine he offers. The imagery of flourishing fields and peaceful homes speaks of God's provision for our material needs as well, as he sends rain to grow our crops and bless our homes.
Line by Line Meaning
Come to the feast of heaven and earth!
Join us in celebrating the abundance of the spiritual and physical world!
Come to the table of plenty!
Be a part of the community gathering where everyone is welcome, and no one goes hungry!
God will provide for all that we need, here at the table of plenty.
At this table, we trust that God will meet all our needs, and we will be content and satisfied.
O come and sit at my table where saints and sinners are friends.
At this table, there is no distinction between a saint or a sinner. Everyone is equal and can share the same meal together.
I wait to welcome the lost and lonely to share the cup of my love.
Those who feel lost and lonely are especially welcome to this table. Here, they will find love and connection.
O come and eat without money; come to drink without price.
The meal is free for all. No one has to pay or bring anything to the table. Everyone is welcome to eat and drink as much as they want.
My feast of gladness will feed your spirit with faith and fullness of life.
The meal is not just physical food but also spiritual nourishment. It will bring joy, faith, and fullness of life.
My bread will ever sustain you through days of sorrow and woe.
Eating this bread will give you strength even in the toughest times and help you overcome your sorrows.
My wine will flow like a sea of gladness to flood the depths of your soul.
Drinking this wine will bring a sense of joy and happiness that will penetrate and fill your innermost being.
Your fields will flower in fullness; your homes will flourish in peace.
Partaking in this table of plenty will not only feed your physical and spiritual hunger but also bring abundance and peace to your surroundings.
For I, the giver of home and harvest, will send my rain on the soil.
God will provide for all our needs and bless us with the harvest we need to prosper. We need only trust and have faith in His provision.
Contributed by Micah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.