John 6:25-29
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
Homily:
This is one of the biggest challenges in human relationships with God. It is reduced to one that is transactional. We come to God for the things he can do for us, not for a relationship with him.
We reduce God to only a provider and savior, created to serve our needs and to be glorified only when those needs are met. When our needs are not met, we wonder where God is. This is not new. You see it in many tales in the bible.
But you also find examples in the bible, of people that transcend physical needs of provider and savior, believing in God, without precondition. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego was just one of such examples.
In the passage above, Jesus chides the people for their transactional approach. In this case, getting their bellies full. And he counsels them to pay more attention to believing in God and his Word. Believing is demonstrated by obedience to His word. Obedience is not hinged on transactions. It is hinged on reverence.