The Orchard Drift
Credit to Nicholas Maggio, writer of the Mob Land screenplay
Every now and then a line lands harder than it should. In Mob Land, Tom Hardy — playing Harry DeSouza — delivers one that stuck with me:
“It’s always the same, in any orchard. You plant the trees. The trees grow tall. Then, sooner or later, they begin to get mangled, and before you know it, the apples start to rot.”
I took that line and expanded it, because it carries a truth most people avoid.
Growth without action becomes decay.
A tall orchard looks impressive from a distance — rows of effort, years of investment, the appearance of progress. But if you never shake the trees, never pick the fruit, never do anything with what you’ve grown, it all rots anyway.
This drift shows up everywhere:
- in work
- in recovery
- in relationships
- in creativity
- in faith
The orchard grows.
The fruit hangs.
And without movement, it spoils.
Potential is not the point.
Movement is.
Shake the tree.
Pick the fruit.
Do something with what you’ve built.
That’s where Mission sharpens, Grace moves, and Luck finally has something to work with.
About Jason Bresnehan
Jason is a writer and recovery advocate whose work explores the intersection of Catholic faith and the lived experience of addiction. His books and essays weave scripture with the rhythms of everyday life, showing how grace can surface in the most ordinary encounters.
Through A Catholic Gospel Journey – Through the Lens of Alcohol Recovery and related projects, Jason offers reflections that connect the Sunday readings to the struggles and victories of recovery. His approach is rooted in clarity, rhythm, and respect for tradition, while remaining accessible to those navigating the challenges of addiction and renewal.
Founder of the Hadspen Foundation, Jason is committed to building frameworks for spiritual recovery that are both repeatable and personal. His writing is guided by discernment, narrative cadence, and the belief that doctrine should support—not overshadow—the human story.