Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 / John 17:20-26
In every Mass, there are at least two readings. One is the 1st reading and the other is the gospel.
In between the 1st reading and the gospel is the Responsorial Psalm.
The Responsorial Psalm is for us to response to the Word of God that we heard in the 1st reading.
The Responsorial Psalm for today is taken from Psalm 15, and the response is "Preserve me, Lord, I take refuge in you."
That connects well to the 1st reading as we heard how St. Paul was put on trial before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, but somehow his accusers ended up disagreeing and quarrelling among themselves.
Indeed, St. Paul took refuge in the Lord and the Lord preserved him and also gave him the courage to go forth and bear witness.
The response in the Responsorial Psalm can also be our prayer as we implore the Lord to preserve our faith as we take refuge in Him.
May the Lord also give us the courage that He gave to St. Paul to bear witness to Him in these times.