He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Our last morning in Jerusalem. The pilgrimage is almost over; the journey continues.

We have all changed. We have walked in Christ's footsteps. We have shared stories, shouldered each other's griefs, prayed together; we have laughed, we have rejoiced.

The first steps towards home begin with our final Eucharist in the Church of the Dormition on Mount Zion. "It is where we were heading all along," says Bishop John. "Our pilgrimage is ongoing from here, as we live our Christian lives with freshness."

Here, in our midst, the Risen Christ appeared to his disciples, he says. "And what does Jesus do? He says 'Peace be with you.' A week later, to Thomas, he says, 'Peace be with you.' We're told that this is the phrase most used right across the world. These were the first words to his disciples. And he says 'Peace be with you', every day.

"In other words, peace is the personal gift Jesus comes to bring that w all need. We've shared a lot on this pilgrimage as we've travelled, because that's what pilgrims do.

"Many of us come here carrying some pretty heavy stuff, but to each one of us, Jesus says, 'Peace be with you.' Not just 'good luck', but something more tangible, actual and effective."

He likens the effect to swimming in the Dead Sea earlier this week. "It's as if Jesus is saying, 'My peace will stop you sinking - you're safe.' Even if we may get slimy along the way.

"And this peace is not just a personal gift, but a political one, that is so needed in this land as we have heard."

He reminds us of all the stories we have heard, from Dr Jacques, Mitri, Jeff, Katya, Bishop Suheil. "The Risen Christ gives his gift of peace through people like that. And through our prayers and our presence we are also vehicles of that peace."

We have met people of hope, he says. "They are impressive, and we won't forget them. But you and I are also people of hope, because we are people of the Resurrection. We are unstoppable as Christians. There are 2000 million of us, and that number is increasing by 70,000 a day. We are a huge family. And we are an Easter people."

Going home is like coming down from the mountain top. "The struggle continues, but we have been at the top of the mountain. We are going home to ponder this in our hearts."

He tells us to pray for ourselves, for the people we have met, for each other - and to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

"Jesus gave us the personal and political gift of peace. Jesus said, 'Peace be with you' - and it will be so."