Picasso’s turbulent etching from the eve of the Spanish Civil War seems a timely image of my own country in this harrowing election season. The monstrous beast towers over his victim—the wounded female matador lying unconscious on the back of her tormented horse. From a high window, two other women, with doves of peace, witness the predator’s violence with both anger and sorrow. The cowardly male fleeing up the ladder takes no side, offers no resistance. Only the brave young girl, with her candle and flowers, stands firm against the Minotaur, whose hand tries to block the light of truth. Her calm and steady presence is unperturbed by the monster’s agressive rage. She knows something he will never understand. Even in the darkest hour, there is a light which refuses to be extinguished.
Here’s to the truth-tellers, activists, organizers, public servants, door-knockers, and phone-bankers whose candles shine so brightly in these challenging days. And for my own candle on Election Eve, let me offer the words of Abraham Lincoln, who summoned our better angels in his 1862 address to a divided nation:
“Can we do better?” The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.
Fellow-citizens, we can not escape history. We of this Congress and this Administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation … We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth.
The religious imagineer 
Hey Jim. Molly forwarded this to me and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your blog. The quote from Lincoln combined with the Picasso etching describes so much of what we’re all feeling at this point. And finding a bit of hope at this moment is what is getting many of us from one day to the next. Let’s all pray that this hope comes to fruition after tomorrow!
Janet, how wonderful to hear from you. I am definitely feeling hopeful—so many encouraging signs, plus the sour madness of the other side. It’s high time to put the Minotaur out to pasture.
Let there be light, just this time, only light, just this time. . .
Amen, brother!
Peanut is dead. If there is a heaven, and I believe there is, Peanut the squirrel, is in the everlasting arms of our Lord and Savior, safe and secure from all alarms. He died defending himself from cruel and heartless people who took him from his safe and loving home. His family who rescued him as an infant, from certain death, is devastated.
As this harsh election comes to an end, let us remember Peanut the squirrel, and his friend the racoon, who harmed no one, were put to death anyway. Perhaps this is a reminder to us all to be kind to each other in the days ahead, and not let the cruel people do any more harm.
Rest in Peace Peanut, and may your racoon friend find peace with you.
Thanks Jim. We around the world stand, and pray with you. We’re acutely aware that the next 24 hours and beyond are a global experience that has implications for all of us. Hang in there.
Thank you for your prayers. We’re all in this together. It’s an anxious time, but I am hopeful.