John Michael Talbot - Update 01 - Reclusion

[johnrobel]

JMT, saw you at the Kennedy Pavillion here in Spokane I think it was May of '71, then, I am almost sure, I met you at the I Am coffee house downtown Spokane (the Jesus Peoples headquarters). I dont understand your detractors. You harm no one, try to inspire every one, and help where ever you can. This lapsed 'ole hippie calls that Christian. I plan to see you in Moses Lake. Hope you still light up a 5 string once in a while. You are one of the reasons I play pedal steel. Take care, John

[sinfulyetsaved]

dying to our religious pride. something to chew on for a while..

[spiritparaclete]

Monasticism is a gnostic roman catholic trick.. DON'T BE TRICKED BY IT, nor this snakes slippery talk.

[PeterRabbit001]

"But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray." ( Luke 5:16). Paul was in seclusion in Arabia for 3 years (Gal 1:15-19). Hardly unprecedented! I hope you continue to have personal times with the Lord; they're very rich.

[PeterRabbit001]

"But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray." ( Luke 5:16)

[SurfaceOfTheEye]

You would be very hard pressed to see any biblical support for seclusion. I am sure the Apostle Paul was not practicing the discipline of seclusion when he found himself imprisoned in a 'cell' for preaching The Gospel!

[catholicpriest1]

How can a married man spend great deals of time in seclusion? Doesn't he have an obligation to his wife? Does John Michael want the best of all worlds (husband, monk, solitude, performing, ect.).  The rest of us have to make a choice John Michael. I love your music by the way.

[GTX1123]

When I came to the Lord 30 years ago at the age of 18, I was GREATLY ministered to by your album "New Earth". I came out of a lot of darkness and was attacked on and off by spirits of fear for the first 2 years of my walk. Your music on that album really helped me through some sleepless nights in the beginning of my walk. I would pop that tape in and listen to it and the Spirit of God would minister to me as I worshipped Him. 

[777ChiRho]

I am an ordinary man who works two jobs and has a girlfriend. I understand the benefits of being reclusive even if it's just for a few hours (usually that's all the time I have), just to get away from all distractions and praying the rosary or reading the Bible. I love these times because they are the instances where I find myself closest to our Lord. Thank you JMT for all you do, especially your God given musical ability. Pray for me. God bless you!

[LK15FOUND]

Brother John; I used to come and see you guys at Sherwood Country Club on the south side of Indy, not much older than you were. Now I'm a United Methodist Pastor. My waking prayer everyday is;" O Lord go before me and bring me through it." He certainly has done that for us, and contiues to, Praise Be To His Holy Name! See you in the morning.

Psalm143:5-6

[JeriRose2]

But what of your wife? Where is she? Are you still married?

I believe in spending a lot of time, alone, with Jesus, just being in HIs Presence, so he can change our life...but how do we influence others around us if we are secluded all the time?

[jcsorez]

Why do people bother with JMT way of Life?!

Listen to his music; it is God inspired, that's all that should matter to us. He's unique and authentic. God bless all.

[folgio]

dude your a bum you don't do anything and people feed you c'mon . get a job this spiritual bullshit of fulfilling yourself at other peoples expense. we should all sit on our asses and then nothing will get done, your not the man on the mountain you self proclaimed hermit you dont know any more than a conversationalist well read person,, get a friggin job you bum

[patfealy]

Ifen yer sayin mountain men er bums then yer spitin intu da wind. he aint readen playboy and he is the head honcho of an organization thet whouldn't have me but i recken they got a rite to spend there time a prayin.

[Soldier7of7Christ]

Dude this guy lives off of his career as a Christian musician... 30+ albums, and books. Perhaps you should research before you judge....

[999Atwood]

John looks healthy & happy. At 15 I discovered Mason Proffit, There is an obvious spritual longing even in that body of work. Best to John & his life now.

[orbis2009]

themanhootch---Maybe this, yours, is the best answer. The gift of JMT's music is enduring and a great blessing. I for one am very, very grateful for it. So I will leave it at that and thank God for the gift.

[orbis2009]

TraditionalAnglican: Thank you. I sincerely was not trying to criticize but simply to seek a clarification since JMT---whose music I have long loved---founded a "monastery" and has always "imaged" (and I don't mean that as derisive) himself as a monk. I think JMT has a remarkable gift from which so many of us have benefitted spiritually. Why then not a simple retreat center to deepen spirituality?

[TraditionalAnglican]

Dear John Michael:

It's been 30 yrs. since I heard your music, and I just found it on the WEB 10 days ago. The difference in the level of "Spiritual Maturity" between what I used to listen to 30 years ago & what I heard was amazing. As I listened to your music from the last few years, I wondered where your overwhelming peacefulness came from. I just listened to your broadcast where you described the process of "Reclusion" - I think I have most of the answer.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

[JeriRose2]

I have always loved your music.

I thought you were married. How does your wife like this?

Is this kind of reclusion Biblical? How can we go into all the world and preach the Gospel if we are in reclusion?

[TraditionalAnglican]

Jeri Rose:

One can't be married and be a Monk. As St Paul said, celibacy helps us serve God more fully.

Our Lord went into the Desert for 40 days - He was alone for those 40 days. St. Paul went into Arabia for 3 years. He was alone most of that time. The Early Church had a group we call the Desert Fathers - They lived alone. This may be hard for you - Our Lord gave us a Church, which gave us the Book to help keep her faithful to the Traditions she received from the Apostles.

In Christ, Michael

[erithacusnacnud]

Thank you John. So refreshing to hear of this concept spoken of in a positive way. The word recluse is usually applied negatively. The phrase hermit-like has been applied to me at times with a slight air of derision. But I have found that I have felt more REAL than ever on retreat and exploring the sometimes brutal, but refining exposure of solitude.

PS Thank you for your 30+ years of music, I till listen to your CDs, and share them with my groups.

[DaughterofStFrancis]

Pax et Bonum

Praying for you and your community.

[orbis2009]

Can a monk have a wife? Did not monks renounce marriage?

Would it not be better for JMT to openly renounce the 'monastic' image and allow himself to be what he seems rather to be: a layman with a marvelous apostolate of wonderful music which helps others to live a spiritual life too? This coming back to himself as he really is would be a dying to self too. One need not be a monk to be holy.

[TraditionalAnglican]

Orbis:

No, Monks can't have Wives - If they did, they'd have to renounce their vows, and those vows are precious to them.

If you pay attention to what John Michael Talbot says, you'll see the Monastery is how the Lord gives JMT his peace and inspires his music. The Monastery is how the Lord forms JMT for this ministry and for his ultimate destination, which is heaven.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

[themanhootch]

John Michael is a third order secular Franciscan monk. I can be a third order Franciscan and live in the world, teach high school, etc. Third order Franciscan monks can be married. Nicholas VI approved this order 1289, and it includes monks in reclusion. If I were not a teacher, I would certainly be attracted to the 3rd order, but we each have our own vocation. I cannot convey how much I have been blessed by this 3rd order monk. To Jesus Christ be the praise, now and forever.

[chaia84]

...or a monk or something?

[chaia84]

Are you Catholic?

[42BETWO]

The religion of religious experiences. There seems to be an addiction issue here. Is there a promotion in the works here? Maybe eventual sainthood. Notice references to reclusive saints as his model. Life out of balance. How about a Terminator movie once in a while? Self interest and altruism need not be mutually exclusive. Reclusion is not self dying, it is done because it seems the best for one's self. Let's get real.

[JohnMichaelTalbot]

Those who say that solitude is selfish are correct for many who use it as an escape. This is called false contemplation. They are incorrect regarding authentic contemplatives. This argument is an old one from those who have never experienced the contemplative dimension of the life of Jesus. -JMT

[JohnMichaelTalbot]

The old saying is true: Those who are afraid of community should beware of solitude. Those who are afraid of solitude should beware of community. Those who have experienced authentic Christian solitude know it to be a rugged encounter with the Ultimate reality. - JMT

[mikeinverizon]

Dear brother, could you expand on what you said about a "rugged encounter" with the Ultimate reality?

[catholicpriest1]

@42BETWO I bet you are don't like people who are "judgmental". Why then are you judgmental of John Michael?

[shizzleman8]

@catholicpriest1 It was probably JMT who made the comment to enlighten us further and to table the topic of Sainthood. :-Daniel

[aerycksmusic]

Thank you John for sharing in this way. You speak of putting off certain things, and it is also comforting to know that Jesus is right here and well able to assist in removing these things so that we might be able to hear and see Him clearer. I trust you time in the closet will be blessed with the presense of Jesus.

[42BETWO]

JMT the recluse. We are the same age. JMT is definitely a product of the 60's and early 70's. Now morphed into a sort of holy man on some secluded mountain top. Christian music can be a tough gig. A more lucrative approach with the Catholics. Not bad, a married monk. But, what kind of marriage? I think JMT has been married more than once.

[auralmagician]

How does your wife fit in to this senerio? You are married right? I know what trouble your marriage caused you - as you wrote about in the liner notes of your album HIDING PLACE. I know alot of married men who might like to try this "reclusion" if it will afford them a break from their wives.lol Seriously, what's the deal?

[lorenamk]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and reflections via video, Brother JMT, and please continue. I feel that through them, and from your solitude, you will become a spiritual father to many hungry and searching souls. May God continue to bless and strengthen you, Viola and the Little Portion Community.

[AnbaKyrillos]

How do you reconcile married life in common life with reclusion? This seems to be like a prolonged continent life akin to Orthodox priests. All this seems too confusing in light of the Sacraments.

[bill1611]

Totally Cool - I've always loved your music.

Thanks for taking the time to make this.

Happy New Year

[AICXCNIKAO]

Have a Joyous Christmas.

A † Deus Caritas est † Ω