Society
Of The Divine Word

His thesis, titled “Luke and Isaiah 56–66 in Dialogue: Luke 4:16–30 – Intertextuality (Isaiah 61:1–2), A Communicative-Pragmatic Approach,” explores the deep interconnection between the Lucan text and the final chapters of the prophet Isaiah. The study not only highlights a theological link but also proposes a communicative or pragmatic strategy used by the evangelist Luke. This strategy is presented as a set of communicative actions aimed at guiding the real reader (the original audience of the text) or the model reader, in order to provoke a specific type of transformative response.

Fr. Gbandi explains that, just as Jesus, in the synagogue of Nazareth, opened the doors of the Kingdom to the marginalized of history in that “today,” a true celebration of the jubilee in our own time is the only way to reopen the future that has been closed off to so many. Thus, his thesis not only interprets biblical texts, but translates them into a present-day pastoral key, focused on justice, inclusion, and hope.

Currently, Fr. Gbandi serves as the Coordinator of Biblical Pastoral Ministry for the Mexico-Cuba Province, and teaches at both the IFTIM (Theological Institute for Mission Formation) and the Pontifical University of Mexico. His academic work is also a pastoral service, aiming to make the Word of God a living tool that transforms lives.

We warmly congratulate Fr. Gbandi for this remarkable academic achievement, which will undoubtedly enrich the missionary and pastoral path of the Congregation in the region and beyond.