Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is a complex day, having several themes, only one of which is specifically associated with the historical events of Easter. Possibly the oldest theme was the practice in the early church of readmitting penitents to communion at a special eucharist on this day, in readiness for Easter. Changing patterns of penitential discipline have removed this theme from the day. The second theme was the episcopal consecration of the chrism oil for baptisms and the blessing of oil for the anointing of the sick and of oil for exorcism. This was common by the eighth century. A recent addition to this theme in some circles has been the renewal of priestly vows.
The third theme of Maundy Thursday, and the only one found in parish churches, is the evening celebration of the eucharist in commemoration of the Last Supper. There is evidence of this in Jerusalem in the late fourth century from Egeria’s account of her visit. The New Testament includes slightly differing accounts of the Last Supper in Matthew, Mark and Luke, both in the actions of Jesus and in the words said. There is a further account of the Last Supper in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). There is no account of the Last Supper as such in John’s Gospel, but re-enacting the episode of Jesus washing’ of the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-20) has become a common feature of the rites associated with Maundy Thursday. There is evidence of its liturgical inclusion in the Maundy Thursday liturgy from the seventh century. The ceremony of stripping the altar, also associated with Maundy Thursday, can be traced back to seventh century Spain. Originally this served the practical purpose of a good spring clean of the church for Easter, but the symbolism of desolation has made the action significant. 
In the early church, no celebration of the eucharist was held between the celebration on Maundy Thursday and the Easter celebration of the eucharist. From the eighth century there developed a desire to receive communion on Good Friday. Because of the strong tradition of no celebration of the eucharist on Good Friday, the practice grew up of reserving the sacrament from the Maundy Thursday celebration. That led to taking the sacrament in procession to an “altar of repose” in symbolic imitation of going to Gethsemane to watch with Christ. Churches are still divided in their approach to reservation from Maundy Thursday and celebration of the eucharist on Good Friday. Another recent development in some places has been the celebration of the eucharist in the context of a full meal in further imitation of the Last Supper.
For Liturgical Use
The Christian eucharist comes directly from the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. He gave new meaning to their fellowship meals by linking his own life with them. The Maundy Thursday eucharist, following the Jewish custom of reckoning days from sunset, marks the beginning of the great events that climax Christ’s work. May we be one with him in this eucharist, and in his life, death and resurrection.
Sentence, Prayers and Readings as in A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa, page 585-586.