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.
We Are One Body
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we do not stand alone.
We are one body, one body in Christ.
And he came that we might have life.
I am the way, the truth, the life.
I am the final sacrifice.
I am the way, the truth, the life.
We are one body, one body in Christ,
and we do not stand alone.
We are one body, one body in Christ.
And he came that we might have life.
At the name of Jesus,
every knee shall bow.
Jesus is the Lord,
and he will come again.
At the name of Jesus,
every knee shall bow.
When you eat my body,
you drink my blood.
I will live in you,
and you will live in my love.
We are one body, one body in Christ,
and we do not stand alone.
We are one body, one body in Christ,
And he came that we might have life.
On the rock of Peter,
on the church I built.
Receive my spirit,
let my spirit with my gifts be filled
You are my body, and my hands and feet,
my word of light to everyone you meet
I am the way, the truth, the life.
I am the final sacrifice.
I am the way, the truth, the life.
Believe in me, have eternal Life
We are one body, one body in Christ,
and we do not stand alone.
We are one body, one body in Christ,
And he came that we might have life.
I am the way,
the truth, the life.
Believe in me,
eternal Life
The song "We Are One Body" by John Michael Talbot emphasizes the unity of Christians in Jesus Christ. Through the lyrics, the singer reminds us that we are not alone, but rather part of a greater community of believers who share in the love of Christ. The refrain repeats the phrase "we are one body, one body in Christ" to emphasize this point. The lyrics also highlight the importance of Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. Through belief in Him, we can attain eternal life.
The verses specifically mention that we do not stand alone, indicating the support and love that can be found within the Christian community. The name of Jesus is also mentioned multiple times, emphasizing the central role that He plays in our faith. The mention of eating His body and drinking His blood refers to the sacrament of communion and the belief that Christ's sacrifice on the cross gives us eternal life. The song closes with a reminder of the importance of belief in Christ for eternal life.
Line by Line Meaning
We are one body, one body in Christ.
As followers of Christ, we are united and connected in our faith, forming one body.
And we do not stand alone.
We are not alone in our journey with Christ as we have fellow believers who support and encourage us.
And he came that we might have life.
Christ sacrificed himself so that we may have eternal life and be united as one body in him.
I am the way, the truth, the life.
Christ proclaims that he is the only path to truth and eternal life in heaven.
I am the final sacrifice.
Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross was the final and ultimate offering for the forgiveness of sins.
Believe in me, have eternal Life
Through faith in Christ, we have the assurance of eternal life in heaven.
At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.
Every person, including non-believers, will bow to Jesus as Lord and Savior at the end of time.
Jesus is the Lord, and he will come again.
Christ is the true Lord and redeemer, and he will return one day to bring his kingdom to fulfillment.
When you eat my body, you drink my blood. I will live in you, and you will live in my love.
Partaking in communion signifies unity with Christ, and signifies living within his love and grace.
On the rock of Peter, on the church I built.
Christ has established the Church, with Saint Peter as the foundation, as the spiritual community wherein his followers would be united.
Receive my spirit, let my spirit with my gifts be filled.
We are called to accept the Holy Spirit, who is the source of spiritual nourishment and gifts of grace.
You are my body, and my hands and feet, my word of light to everyone you meet.
As believers of Christ, we are his instruments and agents of love and light in the world.
Contributed by Eva C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.